Chiropractic Joint Manipulations

Chiropractic joint manipulations, whether manual or instrument-assisted are a safe and very effective treatment for joint pain and movement restrictions. The results are improved muscular and joint function as well as performance.

Here is a short video of sports chiropractor Dr. Terry Schroeder DC who works the US Olympic team. He describes chiropractic and demonstrates a few manual adjustments:

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Manual Adjustments: Many chiropractic patients enjoy their adjustment experience on a regular basis as the adjustment is a comfortable and often pleasant procedure that produces immediate relaxation of the surrounding muscles, improved posture and range of motion from just seconds before. Due to slightly elevated endorphin levels immediately after an adjustment (the same hormones released during exercise that make us feel great) many patients leave their chiropractors feeling fantastic. Over the long term the benefit of being adjusted is an improved range of motion in a joint that is restricted due to inflammation or old scar-tissue in the joint capsule.

The cumulative benefits of several treatment sessions within a proper treatment plan can be long lasting and treatments sessions are tapered off accordingly. Still, first-time patients are often amazed at their immediately gained range of motion and resulting decrease in stiffness and pain relief after just one adjustment. 

The 'adjustment' itself, a form of joint manipulation, can be described to a patient as a very quick, but small movement of the doctor’s hands that cause the two sides of a joint to be separated apart ever so slightly past the typical end range. When done to a joint that is restricted from reaching a normal end-range the motion is restored. Along with joint motion, muscular and nerve tone are restored to the structures associated with each segment.

Manual Mobilisations: Another form of joint manipulation works within and up to a joint's end-range in a slow and controlled manner. The joint is not moved beyond end-range like the adjustment however. To the patient this is a very gentle manoeuvre which feels like a comfortable stretch about the joint.

Mobilisations benefit the joint by restoring normal joint range of motion to a motion-restricted joint due to old injury or prolonged bad posture. The technique also flushes healthy joint fluid into the joint clearing the by-products of inflammation responsible for swelling and pain at the site of a new injury.

A mobilisation may take more treatment sessions to achieve the same results of an adjustment, but is a great alternative is cases where the joint is highly sensitive, guarded by muscle tension, or in some cases where adjustment is not suitable for a particular individual as determined by the doctor.

Instrument-Assisted Adjustments: Instrument adjusting involves the use of a small spring-loaded chiropractic adjusting device which can be used anywhere a manual chiropractic adjustment can be performed.

Chiromechanics is your Chiropractic care provider for Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Thornbury, Meaford, Stayner, Nottawasaga, Creemore, Barrie, Midland, Owen Sound, Georgian Bay and Central Ontario