Back adjustment has been shown to reduce pain, improve movement and flexibility, decrease inflammation and improve posture. Studies also show that it can help you sleep better.

You may feel and hear a popping or cracking sensation during the treatment which is caused by gases like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide getting released from your joints similar to cracking your knuckles. These sensations are temporary and harmless.
Relieves pain

Millions of people around the world have turned to a noninvasive, drug-free treatment for back pain and neck pain -- chiropractic adjustment. Also known as spinal manipulation, it has been shown in studies to decrease pain, increase range of motion and mobility and improve posture.

During treatment, your chiropractor will apply pressure to leverage points on your spine to restore proper movement to joints and muscles. This treatment is often accompanied by a popping sound, called joint cavitation, that is caused by a change in pressure within the joint capsule that releases nitrogen gas. These thrusts can be very quick and gentle, or more forceful depending on your condition.

Getting adjusted regularly may lower stress hormone levels, which can help protect you against chronic diseases. In fact, some studies suggest that those who receive chiropractic care regularly have lowered rates of heart disease and respiratory issues. While you might think of back pain and headaches when thinking about chiropractic, it can help treat a variety of other muscle and joint ailments as well.
Increases mobility

A spinal adjustment creates motion in the fixated bones of the spine (called subluxations). Regular adjustments re-establish mobility and gently break up adhesions, which helps decrease degeneration in the joints.

This hands-on approach, sometimes called spinal manipulation, can address misalignments throughout the body that can cause headaches, low back pain, neck pain and other symptoms. It also improves function, reduces stress, and increases sleep quality.

There are a variety of techniques that chiropractors use, such as Gonstead, Activator, Logan Basic, Thompson and Cox Flexion-Distraction. This last method uses a specialized treatment table with drop mechanisms that apply a high-velocity, low-amplitude force to the lumbar spine and extremities. This technique is often accompanied by a popping sound, which is caused by nitrogen gas being released from the joint capsule as pressure changes. It is a gentle and safe treatment that can help reduce herniated discs, sciatica symptoms, arthritis, and scoliosis. The treatment also improves lumbar spinal stability and reduces muscle spasms.
Restores posture

Poor posture not only leads to back pain and neck stiffness, but it can also cause fatigue, a negative mood, and an overall sense of unease. A chiropractor can correct imbalances in the spine and nervous system that may be contributing to poor posture.

In addition to helping you stand up straighter, chiropractors will assess your posture and make adjustments that improve the alignment of the vertebrae in your neck and upper back. They can also help you develop a routine that includes exercises and other lifestyle changes to promote good posture.

To check your posture, stand against a wall and measure the space between your neck and the wall as well as the space between your lower back and the wall. The space should be less than 2 inches, as this is a healthy stance. Good posture can reduce the risk of serious health issues, boost self-confidence, and elevate your mood. It can also encourage normal joint mobility and function, so you can perform physical activities with ease.
Relieves stress

Stress can be an all too common part of life, but when you’re constantly tensed up, your body and mind both suffer. This is why it’s important to get regular back adjustments to help you relax and improve your posture. Tense muscles that don’t release put unnecessary pressure on bones, tendons, ligaments, and joints. When you visit a chiropractor, they’ll adjust the spine to relieve this domino effect and restore proper function of the nervous system. In addition, this process often reduces swelling, inflammation and discomfort caused by spinal misalignment. This reduces your overall levels of stress and makes for a happier, healthier you.