Spinal Manipulation

When do I perform a spinal manipulation?!

I perform a manipulation when I identify joint or spinal mobility deficits or stiffness. After assessment I select the most appropriate manipulation and put a high velocity thrust into that stiff or HYPOmobile segment to increase mobility, movement, or space. This thrust also stimulates a neurophysiological response that causes release/relaxation of soft tissues around these stiff joints or segments. Sometimes it makes some noise like the pops and cracks. Sometimes it doesn’t, and that’s OKAY! We don’t need a crack for manipulation to be effective.

Well what is the "crack"?!

A high velocity low amplitude thrust to vertebral segments that are hypo-mobile (stiff) produces joint surface separation that SOMETIMES results in an intra-articular cavitation or pop/crack. This external force from a spinal manipulation into the biological tissues has been proven to trigger a neurophysiological effect on both the central and peripheral nervous system. This supports the findings that a pop or crack actually is not needed for a spinal manipulation to be effective. 

Are you experiencing neck or back pain or stiffness that just won’t go away with stretching, foam rolling, torture with a lacrosse ball, or massage? You may be appropriate for a spinal manipulation!