Our doctors of chiropractic are specialists in the body’s movement system – the complex interaction of the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems.  Chiropractic adjustments are the manual, hands-on treatments expertly applied to correct imbalances in the movement system, particularly at the spine.  A chiropractic adjustment is a drug-free and natural way to address many pain conditions we treat.  Performed correctly, it reduces pain and improves mobility.

Depending on the nature of the problem, the frequency and quantity of treatments will vary.  Some people enjoy the cumulative benefit as they move through daily or weekly chiropractic treatments.  Over time, they progress towards their pain relief goal.  Other chronic problems benefit from regular weekly and monthly treatments to maintain mobility and pain relief.  Additionally, some people get pain relief with one treatment.  Each pain problem is different, so our team of doctors works to help you reach your goals by combining our expertise with the best medical research.

What is an adjustment like?

Before treatment, our doctors ask questions to understand your concerns.  They will examine the area of pain and explain the diagnosis and treatment plan.  When all of your questions are answered, you can decide to get started with chiropractic care on the same day.  The actual process of a chiropractic adjustment begins with your doctor using his hands to feel your spine motion.  The chiropractor detects joints in the spine that are not moving correctly.  They assess the level of muscle tension and areas that may be painful and swollen.

Your chiropractor then applies a comfortable and short thrust to the joints in the right direction of motion. The immediate effects are activation of suppressing neurological chemicals, improved muscular support, and an increase in the joint’s range of motion.  According to research, the most common side-effect (<20% of the time) is a mild discomfort lasting from 4-12 hours, similar to the soreness felt after exercise or massage.

Chiropractic adjustments are one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other pain problems.

Chiropractic adjustments are often part of a customized course of treatment. At a specific dose, the effects of adjustments are cumulative and complementary.  Your particular plan of chiropractic care may include chiropractic adjustments and other therapies to help you meet your goals.  If you have questions about whether chiropractic care would be an appropriate treatment for you, please do not hesitate to contact us and talk to one of our doctors.

The science of chiropractic adjustments.

Chiropractic research (like that performed by the National Institutes of Health) often describes chiropractic adjustments as spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) or chiropractic manipulation therapy (CMT).  A continually growing list of research shows that chiropractic manipulation is clinically effective, cost-effective, and safe.

Researchers have studied spinal adjustments for several conditions like back, neck, and shoulder pain.  Additionally, research supports adjustments for fibromyalgia, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Scientific research demonstrates that chiropractic care is helpful for many types of pain.  Additionally, other conditions respond well to a combination of chiropractic adjustments with other therapies used at Cole Pain Therapy Group.

Indeed, chiropractic care significantly reduces pain, improves function, and improves patient satisfaction. Yet, describing how it works can be more complicated.  There are both neurological and mechanical effects of a chiropractic adjustment.

There are three immediate effects of an adjustment:

  1. 1) improved the spine joints’ range of motion,
  2. suppress pain, and
  3. reduce muscle tension in the surrounding area.

It is the function of the joint to move and the function of the muscles to move the joint.  Neurology controls all of this.  There are secondary muscular and neurological imbalances when there is an imbalance in joint movement.  A chiropractic adjustment addresses this imbalance, reducing pain and improving mobility.  A series of treatments following a plan of care results in cumulative and sustainable benefits.

Patient-centered chiropractic care in Memphis.

The critical thing to understand regarding adjustments performed by doctors of chiropractic at Cole Pain Therapy Group is that it is a customized treatment.  Every person is different, so the treatment may look different to perform a safe and effective chiropractic adjustment.  People with osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis, previous spine surgeries, mobility problems, pregnant patients, and pediatric patients can benefit from skilled treatment.  Our doctors focus on delivering the right treatment, for the right situation, at the right time, and in the right manner.

For more information for new patients about chiropractic adjustments in Memphis, Tennessee, call Cole Pain Therapy Group at (901) 377-2340 or request an appointment online.