Adjusting the Spine - not a DIY Job

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We know you do it, maybe you do it daily. Your neck or low back start to feel tight and sore and you just need to "move it" or "stretch it". You begin to twist and twist a little further, maybe do a quick little push into the twist and "POP!" you feel that immediate relief. Unfortunately, it doesn't stick around and soon you find yourself twisting and popping that same area multiple times a day. And, then one day, the pain doesn't go away and you start popping pain pills. 
The problem with the DIY adjustment, is that you are making an unstable joint even more unstable. When there is instability in a joint the body responds by laying down bone around it to try and stabilize the joint. This is what will show up on an x-ray as "arthritis" or "degenerative joint disease".  Of course, there are other types of arthritis and there are other causes DJD. 
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How are chiropractic adjustments different? For one, Chiropractors are trained and spend three years practicing adjustments before they go out into the world and open a practice. Secondly, Chiropractors put the proper motion into the joint. Each joint has a specific way it moves in relationship to the joint around it , which means there is a specific direction to adjust in order to get it to move properly. It's all about movement, the proper movement in a joint makes for a happy joint. 

What can you do at home to help yourself? Instead of daily DIY adjustment, try daily spinal movements. A little stretching is helpful, myofascial release is helpful AND strengthening exercises are helpful. It's not always stretching that is needed, often times it's specific strengthening exercises that are most beneficial. If you need help with these exercises, please contact us and we will be happy to help you!