Getting your neck adjusted by a chiropractor, also known as cervical manipulation or spinal manipulation, is a common treatment for neck pain and stiffness. During a neck adjustment, the chiropractor applies controlled force and quick movements to the vertebrae in your neck. This is done to improve range of motion and reduce nerve irritation that may be causing pain or other symptoms. But what exactly happens when that audible “pop” or “crack” occurs during a neck adjustment? Here’s an overview of the mechanics and intended effects of cervical manipulation.
What’s the popping sound?
The popping or cracking noise that you hear during a neck adjustment is caused by cavitation of the facet joints in your cervical spine. The facet joints connect the vertebrae and allow flexibility in the neck. They have a capsule around them containing synovial fluid that lubricates the joints. During an adjustment, the chiropractor applies a fast, targeted movement that pulls the facet joints slightly apart. This creates a vacuum effect that releases gas bubbles from the synovial fluid, resulting in the audible crack. The noise simply comes from the change in pressure across the joint.
Why get your neck adjusted?
There are a few key reasons someone may get their neck adjusted by a chiropractor:
- Reduce muscle tension and spasms
- Improve range of motion in the cervical spine
- Alleviate pain and stiffness from whiplash or injuries
- Treat headaches and migraines
- Help with posture and alignment
- Relieve nerve root compression or irritation
By applying precise manual manipulation, a chiropractor aims to restore normal motion and position of the vertebrae. This can help alleviate nerve interference that causes pain and other symptoms.
What does the adjustment do?
The intended effects of a neck adjustment include:
- Restores proper motion and alignment of vertebrae
- Widens space between vertebrae to take pressure off nerves
- Releases trapped gases and fluid in facet joints
- Relaxes muscles and ligaments in the neck
- Stimulates synovial fluid production for lubrication
- Improves overall range of motion and flexibility
- Relieves pinched nerves and related pain/symptoms
By making precise movements to unlock restricted joints, a chiropractor aims to restore normal function and biomechanics in your neck. This can provide both immediate and lasting relief from neck stiffness, soreness, and referred symptoms.
Mechanics of Neck Adjustment
The actual process a chiropractor uses to adjust your neck involves applying a targeted, controlled force to misaligned vertebrae. Here’s an overview of how it works:
Assessment
First, the chiropractor will do a hands-on assessment of your cervical spine to feel for restricted motion, tenderness, and positions of vertebrae. They analyze your posture and range of motion. This helps identify the problem areas to target with manipulation.
Positioning
You’ll be positioned laying face up on a specialized table with your neck at the end. The chiropractor will position your head and neck into a specific alignment using headrests, hand supports, and shoulder rolls as needed. Proper positioning is key for an effective adjustment.
Applied Force
With you maintaining the alignment position, the chiropractor will apply a fast, targeted manipulative thrust. This is done by hand or with a handheld instrument. The force is focused on a specific facet joint or vertebra needing mobilization.
Follow-Through
After the adjustment, the chiropractor will have you turn your head in different directions to assess the improved mobility. Additional adjustments may be made to address other problem spots.
Repetition
Most people need multiple neck adjustment sessions over a period of weeks to achieve full results. As the vertebrae are consistently mobilized back into position, nerve irritation decreases and pain relief follows.
Benefits of Cervical Manipulation
Getting your neck adjusted by a chiropractor offers many potential benefits, both in the short and long-term. Some key advantages include:
Pain Relief
Numerous studies show spinal manipulation can effectively reduce chronic neck pain. It may also alleviate referred pain, headaches, and radicular symptoms from pinched nerves or disc issues.
Improved Mobility
Adjustments help restore normal biomechanics and increase range of motion in the neck. This makes it easier to turn your head and move without stiffness or restriction.
Muscle Relaxation
The techniques used in neck adjustments help relax tightened muscles and release muscle tension in the cervical area. This reduces spasms and soreness.
Injury Recovery
For post-whiplash injuries or trauma to the cervical spine, adjustments can realign vertebrae and speed healing. This reduces nagging pain and stiffness.
Headache Relief
By reducing nerve irritation in the neck, adjustments are often an effective treatment for tension headaches and migraines.
Posture Improvement
Adjustments to realign the cervical vertebrae can also improve head and neck posture. This reduces abnormal stresses on the spine.
Risks and Safety
Spinal manipulation techniques used by licensed chiropractors are considered very safe and effective for neck pain. However, there are some risks to be aware of:
Aggravating Conditions
In rare cases, adjustments may aggravate existing disc issues, fractures, infections, osteoporosis, or arthritis in the neck. Your chiropractor screens for these prior to treatment.
Joint Injury
Overextending the neck during manipulation could potentially injure facet joints or ligaments. Again, this is very rare with an experienced chiropractor.
Neurological Effects
There have been isolated reports of neurological issues like stroke following neck adjustments. But this appears very uncommon. Appropriate screening helps identify any special risks.
Increased Pain
Some people may experience muscle soreness or local pain in the neck for a day or two after an adjustment. This typically resolves quickly.
Proper technique and screening by your chiropractor makes serious risks from neck adjustments extremely unlikely. The benefits typically far outweigh any risks.
When to Get Adjusted
Here are some signs it may be time to schedule a neck adjustment:
- Reduced range of motion turning your head
- Stiffness or restricted movement in the neck
- Dull ache or soreness in the cervical spine
- Sharp pains in the neck or shoulders
- Headaches starting in the neck and base of skull
- Radiating pain into the shoulders, arms or hands
- Cracking/popping sounds from the neck
- Postural changes like forward head position
You don’t need to live with neck pain or stiffness. A few sessions of spinal manipulation can help realign your cervical vertebrae and restore normal function.
Conclusion
Getting your neck adjusted by a chiropractor has proven benefits for reducing pain and improving mobility. During a neck adjustment, a targeted manipulative force is applied to restricted vertebrae and joints to improve alignment and mobility. This relieves muscle tension and irritation on spinal nerves causing symptoms.
While cracks and pops may occur during the process, this simply results from changing pressures within facet joints. There is minimal risk when neck adjustments are performed by a trained chiropractor using proper methods. The technique brings lasting relief for chronic neck pain and stiffness when maintained over a course of care.