Specific Adjustment vs Spinal Manipulation-What is the difference?

In this episode of the Sheppard Chiropractic Podcast, Dr. Joe Sheppard explains the similarities and differences between chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulation.

While both involve applying a controlled force to spinal joints to improve movement, spinal manipulation is a broad term used by various healthcare professionals primarily to reduce pain and increase mobility. Chiropractic adjustments, on the other hand, are specific procedures performed by chiropractors with the goal of restoring proper spinal function and supporting healthy communication within the nervous system.

Dr. Joe discusses how chiropractic care often focuses on improving overall function, promoting wellness, and helping the body adapt to everyday stressors not just addressing symptoms. He also debunks common myths surrounding the "cracking" sound associated with adjustments, explaining that the sound is simply the release of gas from the joint and is not what determines the effectiveness of care.

Listeners will learn:

• • What spinal manipulation is and who performs it
  • How chiropractic adjustments differ in purpose and philosophy
  • Why nervous system function is important to overall health
  • What to expect during a chiropractic adjustment
  • The role of chiropractic care in both pain relief and long-term wellness

The episode emphasizes that healthcare should be individualized and that understanding your options allows you to make informed decisions about your health. Whether you're seeking relief from discomfort or looking to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle, Dr. Joe encourages listeners to consider how spinal health impacts overall well-being.

Key takeaway:

Spinal manipulation focuses primarily on improving mobility and reducing pain, while chiropractic adjustments aim to restore spinal function and support the body's ability to function at its best through the nervous system.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

In the time it takes you to get home, work, or play, Dr. Joe's podcast will inform and educate you on chiropractic, nutrition, and fitness, keeping you and your family up to date on current products, health tips, and optimized living with chiropractic care. And here's your host, Dr. Joe Shepherd.

SPEAKER_01 0:26

Hello, my name is Dr. Joe Shepherd of Shepard Chiropractic. Today on Dr. Joe's Power On Podcast, episode number 48, we're talking about one topic that creates a lot of confusion, not just among patients, but sometimes even among healthcare professionals. We're talking about the difference between a chiropractic adjustment and spinal manipulation. Now, if you've ever Googled chiropractic care, you're probably seeing these terms used interchangeably. You may have even heard someone say, aren't they basically the same thing? Well, the answer is both yes and no, and today we're going to break that down in a way that's easy to understand. Let's talk about what each term means, how they're similar, and how they're different, and why understanding those differences can help you make informed decisions about your health care. So kick off your shoes, take a deep breath, and maybe roll those shoulders back, and let's get aligned together. So, what is spinal manipulation? Well, first let's let's define it. Spinal manipulation is a broad healthcare term that refers to applying a controlled force to a joint in the spine with the goal of improving movement and decreasing pain. The emphasis here is on improving the mechanics of the joint. Different healthcare professionals may perform spinal manipulations, including chiropractors, physical therapists, osteopathic physicians, and some medical doctors with additional training. The goals often include reducing pain, increasing mobility, improving range of motion, and helping someone recover from an injury. You know, if you've strained your back from lifting a heavy box, or maybe your neck feels stiff after sleeping awkwardly, spinal manipulation may be used to help restore normal movement of those joints. So spinal manipulation is really a descriptive term for a technique. Now, what is a specific chiropractic adjustment? Okay, well, let's talk about that. A specific chiropractic adjustment is a procedure performed by a licensed chiropractor. Like spinal manipulation, it involves a controlled force applied to a joint. But chiropractors traditionally view this adjustment through a much broader lens. The focus isn't solely on pain relief. Instead, specific chiropractic adjustments aim to restore proper spinal function and improve the communication between the brain and the body through the nervous system. In chiropractic, we often talk about vertebral subluxations or misalignments of the spine. The spinal dysfunction that may affect movement and the nervous system function. And the goal of a specific adjustment is to help the body function at its highest potential. Pain relief is often one of the outcomes of the specific adjustment. But from a chiropractic perspective, it's not necessarily the only objective. So why does the nervous system matter? Well, here's where chiropractic tends to differ philosophically. Your nervous system controls and coordinates every single function in your body. It regulates movement, balance, organ function, muscle tone, reflexes, and healing responses. Your brain constantly receives information from your joints, your muscles, and surrounding tissues. That information helps your body adapt to the world around you. If your joints and the spine aren't moving properly, that quality of information is going to change. Think of it like static on a phone call. The message may still get through, but it isn't very clear. Specific chiropractic adjustments aim to approve that a communication between the brain and the body. Again, this doesn't mean chiropractors claim to cure any condition under the sun, but it does mean that we recognize the importance of helping the nervous system function efficiently. The cracking myth, you know, let's address this one of the biggest misconceptions of chiropractic. Many people think chiropractic care is simply cracking necks and backs. If you've never had an adjustment before, that popping sound can seem mysterious or maybe scary at times. That sound is called joint cavitation. It's simply a release of a gas in the joint space when pressure changes occur. It's similar to opening a soda bottle. And there's something very interesting about it is an adjustment does not have to produce that sound to be effective. There are many chiropractic techniques that involve little or no audible release or popping or cracking. The sound isn't the goal, it's improved function to the nervous system. Let's imagine two people that walk into my office. The first person says, Doc, I threw my back out gardening this weekend. I can barely move. The second person says, I've had recurring episodes of neck tension and headaches for years. I want to improve my posture and stay healthy long term. Both individuals may benefit from hands-on chiropractic care, but their goals are very different. The first person is primarily focused on symptom relief. The second person is focused on optimizing the function and preventing future issues. This highlights a very important point. Healthcare should be individualized. There is no one size fits all approach to healthcare. Function versus feeling, you know, that this is a big one here. One phrase we often share with patients is feeling better is important, but functioning better is essential. Pain is often what gets people's attention and brings them to the office. But pain isn't always the first sign that something is wrong. Think about cavities. You don't wait till you have unbearable tooth pain before brushing your teeth. Or think about your car. Most people change the oil before the light comes on. The same principle can apply to spinal health. Maintaining proper movement and function may reduce the likelihood of reoccurring problems down the road. So what happens during a chiroprady adjustment? You know, people often ask me this question. First, chiropractors perform an examination. We evaluate things like posture, range of motion, orthopedics, neurologic, joint restriction. And once we determine there is adjustment appropriate, we usually take an X-ray and then we apply a very specific force to the area that we find subluxated or misaligned. That adjustment itself is usually very quick. Many patients describe feeling relief pretty immediately, improvement and movement, and a sense of relaxation right after the adjustment. And of course, every individual responds differently. So is chiropractic safe? Well, safety is always a priority. A thorough history and examination help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your particular condition or patient. At Shepherd Chiropractic, we take the time to understand your health history, your current concerns, and goals before recommending your treatment and care. If another provider or another type of treatment is more appropriate, we may help you guide you in that direction also. Patient-centered care means doing what's best for the individual that's sitting right in front of us. Who could benefit from chiropractic? Well, people seek chiropractic care for many reasons, and many may be neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, reduced mobility, but others seek care because they want to improve their posture, stay active as they get older, support athletic performance, maintain flexibility, and promote overall wellness with them and their family. One of the things I enjoy most about chiropractic is seeing patients regain confidence in their own bodies, whether that's returning to gardening, playing with their grandchildren, training for a race, or simply sleeping more comfortably. Those moments truly matter. So bottom line here, so what's the difference between a specific chiropractic adjustment and spinal manipulation? Well, spinal manipulation is a broad term describing techniques designed to improve joint mobility and decrease pain. A specific chiropractic adjustment is a procedure focused on restoring proper spinal function and optimizing and supporting a healthy nervous system through better communication between the brain and the body. You know, these techniques may look similar from the outside, but the philosophy, objectives, and approach are very different. And ultimately the right choice depends on your health goals. Are you looking for symptom relief? Are you trying to improve your function? Are you interested in preventing any long-term wellness? Yeah, well, those are important conversations that you have to have with your health care provider. My goal is to help educate and empower you to make informed decisions about the health for yourself and your family. If you've been curious about chiropractic care or whether you've wondered whether adjustments could be right for you, we'd be happy to answer your questions. You can find us at Shepherd Chiropractic located in Cincinnati, Ohio. And as always, before you go, if this episode helped you in any way, would you do me a small favor? Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Then think of just one person, maybe a friend, family member, or coworker, who would benefit from what you heard today and send it to them. Personal recommendations are how this podcast will grow, and I truly appreciate your support. Until next time, keep your power on. Have a great week, and thanks for listening. Dr. Joe.

SPEAKER_00 12:12

Thanks for joining us on this episode of Dr. Joe's Podcast. Discover more insights on chiropractic, nutrition, and fitness on next week's episode and at Shepherdchiropractic.com.