Chiropractic Adjustment, also known as Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) is often considered to be synonymous with chiropractic care. However, this is not the case. The practice of spinal manipulation predates chiropractic to as early as 400 BC with Hippocrates as the first physician to describe manipulative techniques in writing. Other healthcare providers who utilise spinal manipulation include Osteopaths and Physiotherapists.
Chiropractic adjustment is a type of SMT used for rapid pain relief and to increase your range of motion through a controlled, high-velocity thrust. Patients who are unsuited for Chiropractic adjustments may opt for spinal mobilisation, which is a slow and rhythmic manoeuvre used to induce movement of the spine.
Square One no longer offers chiropractic adjustment as one of our core services as the latest research no longer support spinal adjustments for long term relief. As we are committed to delivering long term results, we now only offer adjustments as adjunctive treatment. For more details read our blog entry: The truth behind a chiropractic adjustment.
Sports Chiropractic
The rigors of professional sport put massive amounts of stress on the body. It only makes sense for athletes to utilise chiropractic care for better recovery.
Active Release Therapy
The massage-based technique incorporates over 500 maneuvers to ease muscle tension and improve range of motion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Chiropractic Adjustments Really Benefit Me?
Your facet joints are tiny joints on the back of your spine. Like your knuckles, these joints are enclosed in a small capsule for lubrication and support. Movements to your facet joints can cause gas within the joint to be released and this movement gives a crunch or crackling sound (The Telegraph). This release of gas is perfectly normal and happens due to the negative pressure of the joint. Sometimes adhesions can form in the joint. These adhesions cause the joint to become restricted and movement becomes painful. This is why many people feel better and have an improved range of motion after a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments remove the restrictions in the facet joints and help to restore normal joint movement.
Do Chiropractic Adjustments Make My Pain Go Away?
Simply put, yes! Top researchers have found that chiropractic adjustments can provide a multitude of benefits to your brain and nervous system. Adjustments activate the nerves in your body that detect and sense motion. When those nerves are activated, it stops (or gates) the nerves that deliver pain signals (Science Daily). This is one of the reasons why adjustments provide immediate pain relief. Chiropractic adjustments literally “turn off” the pain sensors!! Don’t forget – we experience our entire lives through your central nervous system. Movement of your spine can activate and manipulate your central nervous system and brain. Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce pain, improve function (New York Times), and even increase strength (Australian Spinal Research Foundation)!
To find out how we stop your pain from coming back, read Dynamic Functional Alignment.
I don't want my back "cracked"!
While most chiropractic techniques do cause a “crackling” or “crunching” type sound, not all of them do. Gentle chiropractic techniques are used to improve the movement of the facet joints of the patients without any sound at all.
My Back Cracked! Should I be concerned?
Remember the last time you tried to stretch your neck or twist around to pick up something from behind and “CRACK”! What was that noise? Did I tear a muscle? Your first joint cavitation experience can be terrifying, but there is no need for concern. That crackling noise you heard is neither a broken bone nor a torn muscle. It comes from the release of gas from the synovial joints in your body and it is entirely normal! These joints are designed to move and help facilitate healthy movement.
Why should I see a chiropractor?
Chiropractors have been working with people to help them live their life to the fullest for over 100 years. Enjoying a better quality of life and moving pain-free are two of the most popular reasons why people seek chiropractic care (Harvard Medical School). New research are starting to show that Chiropractic adjustments enhance sports performance (All American Healthcare), muscular strength, and even improve brain function. There is almost no reason for you to not give Chiropractic a try and see what we can offer you.