Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Hurt?

A difficult question to answer because there are many facets to answering: “does a chiropractic adjustment hurt?” The short answer is “no,” but the long answer would be that it depends on each individual’s pain tolerance/fear/relaxation/complaint. Most chiropractic adjustments are painless; in fact, the adjustment most likely will feel relaxing and can be relieving. If you are new to chiropractic, you may have a harder time relaxing during the adjustment than some of our more experienced patients we treat here in Racine, Wisconsin. If you stiffen or resist the adjustment, you may feel some discomfort. However, as you get used to adjustments you should find not only that the discomfort decreases, but that you feel relief and a sense of well-being after the adjustment is completed. If you’ve had a recent injury, soft tissue can be inflamed and cause some discomfort. If you are having a disc issue, an adjustment may feel very uncomfortable for a small moment but there will be some relief almost instantly.

Many wonder what is happening when you receive a chiropractic adjustment. During the adjustment, you will be placed in different positions to treat areas throughout the spine. There may be popping or “cracking” noises during the adjustment, as the joint is moved. These noises are the result of the release of tiny pockets of gas in between the joints, which is completely normal. In fact, the same thing that occurs when someone cracks their knuckles (which by the way does not cause arthritis – that would be genetics and other factors!).

If you have any concerns about getting an adjustment or whether your case would benefit from chiropractic care, please call our office located in southeast Wisconsin, and we would be more than happy to answer any of your questions. Our facility has several highly trained chiropractors to take care of your musculoskeletal ailments and in addition to your treatment plan, you will feel amazing!

Dr. Susan Reinke, DC