Why Chiropractic?

Chiropractic Care / Joint Manipulation

A lesson in joint anatomy and physiology

All the joints of the body have many of the same characteristics. They are bound by ligaments and soft tissue, moved by muscles, and separated by cartilage. Most important are the nerves that monitor and control the position and motion of each joint.

Usually, joints move freely. Either they move voluntarily due to deliberate muscle control, or involuntarily, without our control. Under unrestricted conditions, the nerves in and around the joints sense motion and relay important information to the spinal cord and brain.

How the body protects itself

If motion is altered or reduced, nerves can relay inaccurate or insufficient information about a joint’s motion. When this happens, as is often the case in sudden injury or overuse of the spine, pain occurs. This is called joint dysfunction.

As the pain increases, the nerves create reflexes that cause the muscles in the area surrounding the joint to tighten, or spasm. This “guarding reflex” helps reduce movement in the area.

Properly performed manipulation
Manipulation should be performed with only as little force as is required. Unlike karate moves, manipulation does not involve sudden twisting of the neck or any other joint. It is a subtle, gentle and controlled procedure that can be performed on nearly every injured joint in the body.

Motion blocks pain signals
In order to function properly, joints must move freely. Motion produced by the joints actually serves to “block” continued pain signals.

Why manipulation works
Chiropractic manipulation slightly opens the joint, normalizing its motion-sensitive nerves, blocking pain and reducing muscle spasm.