Cameron Stewart, D.C.

Hi everyone, Dr. Cam checking in!

One of the questions I often get is, “What exactly happens during a chiropractic adjustment? Does it hurt? What’s that popping sound?” There can be mystery (and maybe some movie-fueled misconceptions!) surrounding adjustments, so let’s clear things up.

First off, The goal isn’t to “crack your back.” The purpose of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore proper motion to joints. These joints have become restricted or misaligned (what we call “subluxated”). As I’ve mentioned, my own journey from farmhand to athlete to corpsman put my spine through a lot. This led to these kinds of restrictions. These restrictions contributed to my neck pain, back pain, and headaches. Regular adjustments became key to keeping things moving correctly.

What is an Adjustment Like?

An adjustment typically involves applying a specific, controlled force to a joint. This can be done in various ways:

• Manual Adjustment: This is often what people picture — using hands to apply precise pressure. This involve a quick, gentle thrust.
• Instrument Adjusting: Specialized handheld instruments can deliver a very precise, gentle force to the joint without the need for twisting. This is great for patients who prefer a lower-force approach or have specific conditions (like osteoporosis).
• Table-Assisted Adjustments: Some chiropractic tables have sections that can gently drop away as the adjustment is made. Gravity assists in the correction. Flexion-distraction, which I mentioned for disc issues, uses a special table to gently stretch the spine.

What’s That Sound?

Sometimes, an adjustment can produce a “pop” or “crack” sound, akin to cracking your knuckles. This sound is called a cavitation. It’s simply the release of gas bubbles (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide) from the joint fluid. These gases are released as pressure changes within the joint capsule during the adjustment. It’s not bones cracking or grinding! Not all adjustments produce this sound, and the sound itself isn’t an indicator of whether the adjustment was effective. The key is the restoration of movement.

Does it Hurt?

Generally, adjustments shouldn’t be painful. You feel pressure, and sometimes there can be mild soreness afterward, akin to starting a new exercise. Most patients, though, experience a sense of relief and improved movement right away after an adjustment. I’ve received countless adjustments for my chronic issues. I can tell you the relief far outweighs any momentary discomfort.

As chiropractors, we tailor the technique to the individual patient’s needs, size, age, and comfort level. It’s a specific skill honed through years of training (like my time at Palmer College).

Visit www.drcam.rocks to ask questions or schedule an evaluation. Let’s find the right approach for you!

Yours in health,

Dr. Cam