Can a chiropractor help me with my problem?
A doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) will perform a thorough examination to diagnose the cause of your problem. This will determine if chiropractic treatment can help you. If necessary, he/she may order special tests such as x-rays or lab tests. Your D.C. will then explain your diagnosis, recommend a treatment plan and discuss treatment options. If at any time it is discovered that you require attention from a medical doctor, your chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate medical specialist.

What is spinal manipulation?
Spinal manipulation (also known as adjustment) is a treatment for joints and muscles in the back and neck that are not functioning properly.

How is it done?
The patient is first positioned in a way that the involved joint or joints can be isolated from the others. Then, the chiropractor uses his hands to apply a thrust to the joint. This moves the joint surfaces, and usually results in a popping sound.

Why is the thrust necessary?
Many times, back and neck pain is the result of joints that are not moving properly. Imagine a door that only opens halfway because of a stuck hinge. You could still use it, but it is more troublesome than a door that opens fully. The joints in your spine can be thought of in the same way. When a proper thrust is applied to a "stuck" joint, its full motion is restored, and associated muscle tension is decreased.

What causes the popping sound? Are my bones cracking?
Your bones are not cracking! The popping sound is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint's lubricating fluid. To understand this better, you need to know a little bit more about the spinal joints.

A joint is made up of the surfaces of two bones that slide over or pivot around each other. These surfaces are lined with smooth cartilage and encased in an elastic tissue called the joint capsule. This capsule is filled with a fluid which lubricates and nourishes the cartilage. The fluid is pressurized and has gasses dissolved inside, similar to carbonated soda. During a manipulation, the joint capsule is stretched and some gas bubbles are released similar to the bubbles that are released when a soda bottle is opened. And that is what causes the popping sound.

Is spinal manipulation safe?
Spinal manipulation is very safe. The risk of injury occurring as a side effect of manipulation is very low, especially when compared to other common treatments for back and neck pain. However, as with all medical procedures, there is some inherent risk. That is why it is important to choose a doctor who is well trained, experienced and licensed to perform manipulation. Chiropractors are able to recognize patients who should not receive manipulation, and to minimize the risk of injury to all patients on an individual basis.

Are chiropractors the only doctors who use manipulation?
No. Many osteopathic doctors, and a few medical doctors have used manipulation for years. However, chiropractic doctors have the most formal training in manipulation. In the United States chiropractors perform 94% of all spinal manipulation treatments.