- June 26, 2023
A chiropractic session is usually short, though the time can vary based on the specific adjustments you are receiving. Considering the significant pain relief and other benefits chiropractic adjustments can deliver, the relatively short time for a chiropractic adjustment is one of several reasons to consider chiropractic care.
There are several types of chiropractic adjustments, and the type of adjustment(s) you receive may affect how long the session lasts. Your chiropractor can explain the timeframe for your sessions. Call Specific Care Chiropractic today at (239) 369-9109 to schedule treatment and relieve your pain.
What Happens During a Chiropractic Session?
Anytime someone receives treatment (even treatment as non-invasive as chiropractic adjustments), they deserve to know what to expect from their care. We aim to inform our patients before treatment, explaining the various types of chiropractic adjustments and how long their chiropractic sessions may take.
The journal Frontiers in Pain Research explains that chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), are one of the most conservative treatments for those with spinal pain, neck pain, and lower back pain.
Mayo Clinic explains that chiropractors apply “controlled, sudden force to a spinal joint,” improving overall health and spinal function. You may receive one or more of several chiropractic adjustment types, including:
Diversified Adjustments
When someone speaks of the “popping” they hear during their chiropractic sessions, they may be referring to diversified adjustments. These adjustments place misaligned vertebrae back into alignment, which may immediately relieve pain.
Seated Diversified Adjustments
Often used to address shoulder and neck injuries, a seated diversified adjustment involves the same technique of re-aligning misaligned vertebrae but requires the recipient to receive treatment in a seated position.
Lumbar Side Posture Adjustments
Lumbar side posture adjustments address the five vertebrae in your lumbar spine, which can cause lower back pain when they’re misaligned. The chiropractor will align the patient on their side with one leg bent in front before completing the adjustment.
Knee-Chest Adjustments
Another adjustment that requires the patient in a specific position, the knee-chest adjustment is meant to relieve upper back and neck pain.
Thompson Drop-Table Technique
Chiropractors use a special segmented table to administer the Thompson Drop-Table chiropractic technique. Your doctor will discuss whether this technique could be beneficial based on your injuries and symptoms.
Manual Extremities Adjustments
Those suffering from pain or medical conditions in their extremities (arms, legs, hands, feet, hips) may benefit from manual extremities adjustments. The chiropractor will adjust joints in these body parts to alleviate conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and bursitis.
The Activator Method
When administering adjustments using the activator method, the chiropractor receives an assist from a device that:
- Delivers a high-velocity, low-amplitude force
- Allows the chiropractor to make specific adjustments that may only be possible with assistance from the device
The activator method may prove effective for several ailments that may lead you to seek chiropractic treatment.
Toggle Recoil
A method often used for patients who want a conservative, low-force treatment, toggle recoil may be a starting point for those new to chiropractic adjustments or those with minor ailments.
The Sacral-Occipital Technique (SOT)
The SOT addresses several areas of the body, including the head, cervical spine (in the upper back), mid-back, lower back, pelvis, and extremities.
Flexion-Distraction Technique
A form of chiropractic manipulation, the flexion-distraction technique gently separates joints and vertebrae in the spine to provide pain relief to the patient.
How Do Chiropractors Determine Which Adjustments Are Appropriate?
The physicians leading our chiropractic services help patients determine the right treatment course, which may include both chiropractic adjustments and physiotherapy. We will develop a treatment plan by:
- Taking medical images: We offer X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other necessary imaging services to identify the source of your pain or discomfort. We may use these images in combination with your own account to determine the cause of your ailments.
- Learn your medical history: We will speak with you about when pain arose, whether you’ve experienced any events (like a car accident) that could be contributing to your pain, and whether you’ve received treatment in the past.
- Recommending a treatment course: Based on your pain profile, age, treatment history, and treatment preferences, we will recommend one or more treatments that we believe will relieve your pain and achieve any other treatment outcomes you seek.
- Allowing you to identify treatments you are comfortable with: The patient has complete control over the chiropractic treatments they receive. You may proceed with the plan we recommend or choose your options (which we will explain clearly and fully).
Every patient has a different medical profile and treatment desires. We will tailor a treatment plan specific to you.
Who Leads a Chiropractic Session?
Our physicians lead chiropractic sessions. The session generally involves:
- The doctor introducing themselves
- The doctor explaining the treatments you are going to receive (which may include chiropractic adjustments)
- The physician administering the adjustments
- The physician checking with you throughout the session, ensuring that you are comfortable
- The physician explaining what you should be feeling, and what you should expect in the hours and days following your chiropractic session
Depending on your ailments and the treatment you receive, your physician may advise that you schedule one or more follow-up sessions.
Who Can Benefit From Chiropractic Adjustments?
You may benefit from chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy, and other treatments if you have:
- Muscle sprains
- Muscle strains
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Lower back pain
- Scoliosis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries including whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Sciatica
We treat those with degenerative conditions that have worsened with time. We also treat car accident victims and others suffering acute pain from a harmful event.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, we will work with your attorney to provide documentation for your case.
Call Specific Care Chiropractic Today to Book Your First Appointment
You don’t need to continue living with pain and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy, and other chiropractic treatment may provide the relief you’ve been seeking.
Call Specific Care Chiropractic today at (239) 369-9109 to schedule an appointment with our team. If you have generalized pain, specific injuries, or pain in specific areas, we will diagnose the cause and craft a personalized treatment plan.
