What Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Feel Like?

Most patients describe it as a relief. There is often an audible pop or cracking sound from the joint, a bit of pressure as the adjustment is delivered, and then a sense of release and improved mobility. First-time patients who have been nervous about it are frequently surprised by how quick and comfortable it is.

The Sound

The pop that accompanies many adjustments is not bones cracking. It is cavitation, the release of gas from the synovial fluid in the joint when the joint surfaces separate slightly during the adjustment. It is harmless and is not required for the adjustment to be effective. Some adjustments produce the sound clearly. Others are nearly silent. Neither indicates a better or worse outcome.

Does It Hurt

For most patients, no. There is a brief pressure sensation as the adjustment is applied, which resolves immediately. Acute presentations, a joint that has been significantly inflamed for days, can be more sensitive and we adapt technique accordingly. For patients who are nervous or who have had painful experiences elsewhere, Dr. Muren uses instrument adjusting, which delivers a precise low-force impulse without any manual thrust. The results are comparable and the experience is much more comfortable for patients who prefer it.

Some soreness in the adjusted area for the rest of the day is common after a first visit, similar to the feeling after a good workout in a muscle that has not been used in a while. It typically resolves by the next morning.

What Happens Right After

Most patients notice an immediate improvement in range of motion. The restricted segment has been moving through a limited arc and after the adjustment moves more freely. Some patients feel a systemic relaxation response, a general loosening across their body. A small number feel a brief headache or lightheadedness after cervical adjustments, which typically resolves within an hour. We ask about this at subsequent visits and modify technique if it is an issue.

Come see what it actually feels like for yourself. (904) 539-3352. 13770 Beach Blvd #4, Jacksonville FL 32224.