After a Chiropractor has determined that there is a subluxation in your spine, he will carry out an adjustment to correct it. An adjustment is a specifically directed force, normally by hand designed to 'unlock' the subluxated vertebra returning normal motion and alignment to the spine.
There are a variety of different methods used in chiropractic to analyse and adjust the spine. A Chiropractor will choose the most effective technique for a person as well taking into consideration the physical build of the patient, the age or any other health matters. Additionally the Chiropractor will make sure the adjustment is as comfortable as possible.
A question often asked of Chiropractors is, 'Can you adjust yourself?'. The answer is, as a rule, no. The noise produced when a 'crack' sound is made is not the same thing as a spinal adjustment. Vertebrae that are highly moveable (hypermobile) and make a lot of noise when you twist your neck or back or hips are usually the ones not needing an adjustment. This normally occurs when certain vertebrae are jammed and not moving (hypomobile) while others are overcompensating by moving too much. Manipulating vertebrae that are already too movable may give some temporary relief but doesn't do a thing for the joints that need to be adjusted and in fact may do damage to joints and the spinal curves.
So the best answer is to do what Chiropractors do, get checked on a regular basis and if needed get adjusted to keep your spine and nerve system working at it's optimum.
