Spinal adjustments are the cornerstone of Chiropractic health care. Known in scientific literature as spinal manipulation, the adjustment’s goal is to restore proper motion and function in the joints of the spine – you have 132 joints in your spine alone! When the joints of the spine are not moving properly, they affect the surrounding tissues including the spinal nerves causing inflammation, pain, and decreased function locally and wherever affected nerves extend to. Adjusting the dysfunctional joint is done using a quick, precise thrust or a traction type of motion as described below in order to restore proper motion and function and allow healing.
For your benefit and comfort, Dr. Underwood has specialized in two different types of adjustments suited to different patients and conditions.
Hands-on or Manual Adjustments
Chiropractic medicine has built its reputation with hands-on adjustments. When delivered by a skilled practitioner, the adjustment is generally pain-free and is very effective at restoring dysfunctional spinal joints to their proper motion and function. Most new patients are excited about how smoothly their first hands-on adjustment goes and how quickly they experience increased range of motion and decreased pain. Properly applied hands-on adjustments are suitable for patients of all ages and sizes.
Flexion Distraction Adjustments
One of the most commonly treated conditions by Chiropractic Physicians is Lower Back Pain. After all 85% of Americans will suffer incapacitating low back pain in their lifetime, and 40% of Americans with back pain lasting more than two weeks will go to a chiropractor. For this reason, Dr. Underwood has invested in the special equipment and training necessary to provide extremely effective flexion distraction adjustments of the low back. It is especially effective at relieving chronic low back pain and sciatica (pain down the leg).