Spinal Adjustments
Spinal adjustments
are the cornerstone of Chiropractic health care. Known in scientific
literature as spinal manipulation, the adjustment's goal is to restore
proper motion and function in the joints of the spine - you have
132 joints in your spine alone! When the joints of the spine are
not moving properly, they affect the surrounding tissues including
the spinal nerves causing inflammation, pain, and decreased function
locally and wherever affected nerves extend to. Dr. Underwood will correlate
the findings from each patient's exam, X-rays, and specific functional
tests to determine which joints in the spine are not moving properly.
He will then adjust each dysfunctional joint using a quick, precise
thrust or a traction type of motion as described below in order
to restore proper motion and function and allow healing. Dr. Underwood
is able to modify his technique to make adjustments safe and comfortable
for patients of any age and size.
For your benefit and
comfort, Dr. Underwood has specialized in three different types of
adjustments suited to different patients and conditions.
Hands-on or Manual Adjustments
Chiropractic built its
reputation with hands-on adjustments. When delivered by a skilled
practitioner such as Dr. Underwood this style of adjustment is generally
pain-free and is very effective at restoring dysfunctional spinal
joints to their proper motion and function. Though some new patients
feel nervous about having their neck adjusted with the hands-on
style of Chiropractic, Dr. Underwood earns the trust of patients so
that they can relax. He also takes great care to avoid surprising
new patients and avoids rotating the neck to the side much during
the adjustment. Most new patients are excited about how smoothly
their first hands-on adjustment goes and how quickly they experience
increased range of motion and decreased pain. Properly applied hands-on
adjustments are suitable for patients of all ages and sizes.
Activator Instrument-Assisted
Adjustments
Activator instrument-assisted
adjustments are perfect for patients who prefer not to experience
hands-on adjustments, or for select individuals not suited to hands-on
adjustments as determined by Dr. Underwood. This instrument has proven
itself effective at restoring spinal joints to normal function with
a precise mechanical impulse. No movement or turning of the neck
is required. Some patients prefer to have Activator adjustments
of their neck but hands-on adjustments of their back. Dr. Underwood
is pleased to be able to accommodate these patients.
Flexion Distraction
Adjustments
The most commonly
treated condition in a Chiropractic office is low back pain. After
all, 85% of Americans will suffer incapacitating low back pain in
their lifetime and 40% of Americans with back pain lasting more
than two weeks will go to a chiropractor. For this reason, Dr. Underwood
has invested in the special equipment and training necessary to
provide extremely effective flexion distraction adjustments of the
low back. These adjustments are performed on a special table that
stretches out the structures of the low back, under the expert guidance
of Dr. Underwood. It is especially effective at relieving chronic low
back pain and sciatica (pain down the leg).