The short version
- An adjustment is a fast, controlled thrust on a stiff joint, usually in the spine.
- For low back pain, research finds benefits similar to exercise or medication, not better.
- Mild soreness or stiffness afterward is common and usually fades within a day.
- Neck adjustments carry a very small, debated risk of artery injury, so screening matters.
- At our Dallas clinic, adjustments are paired with rehab and home exercise, not used alone.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a quick, controlled push applied by hand to a joint that is stiff or not moving well. The goal is to restore normal motion, ease pain and help the muscles around the joint relax. Most adjustments are done on the spine, but hips, shoulders, knees and other joints can be adjusted too.
You may hear the term spinal manipulation in research. It means the same thing. NCCIH describes it as a gentle but quick hand thrust aimed at improving how a joint moves and works.
What is the popping sound?
The pop is gas being released from the fluid inside the joint when the joint surfaces separate slightly. It is not a bone cracking or slipping back into place. A pop is not required for an adjustment to work, and some gentler techniques make no sound at all.
What can adjustments help with?
Adjustments have the best research support for low back pain, with some support for neck pain and certain headaches. The size of the benefit is usually modest, and results vary from person to person.
| Problem | What the research shows |
|---|---|
| Low back pain, recent | Moderate-quality evidence of modest pain relief, similar to anti-inflammatory medicine |
| Low back pain, chronic | Short-term relief similar to exercise or medication; slightly better function |
| Neck pain | Low to moderate-quality evidence that manipulation or mobilization may reduce pain |
| Headaches from the neck | Some evidence of fewer and milder headaches |
| Migraine | Early, limited evidence |
| Non-musculoskeletal disease | No clear benefit shown |
The American College of Physicians lists spinal manipulation as one reasonable non-drug option for low back pain. It rates the evidence as low quality, which means future studies could change the picture. A large 2019 review in the BMJ found that manipulation works about as well as other recommended treatments for chronic low back pain. It did not find that it works better.
We share this so you can make an informed choice. Adjustments are one useful tool, not the whole answer.
What happens during an adjustment at our Dallas clinic?
Your first visit starts with your history and goals, a physical exam, and X-rays if they are needed. Dr. Currington uses that information to decide which joints to treat and which to leave alone. You can read more about why chiropractors take X-rays.
- You lie or sit in a position that lets the target joint relax.
- Dr. Currington positions the joint at the edge of its normal range.
- He applies a short, quick thrust in a specific direction.
- He rechecks how the joint moves and how you feel.
Most of the visit is spent on assessment and follow-up, not the thrust itself. If you prefer not to be adjusted in a certain area, tell us. Gentler, lower-force options exist for many problems.
What are the side effects and risks?
The most common side effects are mild: soreness, stiffness, a headache, or a short-lived increase in pain. NCCIH notes these usually fade within about 24 hours.
Serious problems are rare. Reported events include worsening of a disc problem, nerve symptoms, and, with neck manipulation, a tear in a neck artery that can lead to stroke. How often these happen is not known, and experts still debate whether neck manipulation causes artery tears or whether people who already have a tear seek care for neck pain and headache. Our guide on whether chiropractic is safe covers this in more depth.
Who should not get an adjustment?
A thorough exam comes before any adjustment. In some situations, adjusting a specific area is unsafe, and we will either use a gentler approach or refer you to a physician.
Reasons we would not adjust an area
- Recent fracture, or a suspected fracture after a fall or car crash
- Severe osteoporosis or other conditions that weaken bone
- Known or suspected cancer in the spine
- Spinal infection
- Signs of a neck artery problem or recent stroke symptoms
- Severe or rapidly worsening nerve symptoms, such as growing leg weakness
- Unstable joints, including some forms of inflammatory arthritis in the neck
If you take blood thinners, are pregnant, or have had spine surgery, tell us. These do not always rule out care, but they change how we treat you. Pregnant patients can read about pregnancy chiropractic.
How many visits does it take?
There is no fixed number. A new strain may settle quickly, while long-standing pain or a posture problem usually takes longer. We set measurable goals and re-check them, so you are never left guessing. Our guide on how many chiropractic visits you might need explains what affects the timeline.
Many people in Dallas come to us after months of sitting at a desk, long commutes on Central Expressway, or a weekend sports injury. In those cases, the habits that caused the problem matter as much as the adjustment, so home exercise and posture changes are part of the plan.
Conditions this is used for
Frequently asked questions
Most people feel pressure and sometimes hear a pop, not sharp pain. The pop is gas shifting inside the joint fluid, not bones cracking. Afterward, many people feel mild soreness or stiffness, a bit like after a workout. NCCIH notes these side effects are common and usually go away within about 24 hours. Tell your chiropractor if pain is sharp or lasts longer.
It depends on how long you have had the problem, what is causing it, and how your body responds. A recent strain may settle in a few visits, while a long-standing issue usually takes longer. We set goals at the start and check progress along the way, so you can see whether care is helping and adjust the plan if it is not.
For most people, yes, but no treatment is without risk. Neck manipulation has been linked to rare tears in neck arteries that can lead to stroke. Researchers still debate whether manipulation causes these tears, since everyday neck movements can too. We screen for warning signs first, and gentler options are always available if you prefer not to have your neck adjusted.
We do not make that claim. NCCIH reports that a 2021 review of non-musculoskeletal conditions found only a few quality studies, and none showed a clear benefit. Adjustments are a treatment for joint and muscle problems such as back pain, neck pain and some headaches. For other health issues, see your medical doctor.
You can, but results tend to last longer when you also build strength and change the habits that strain your spine. Research on chronic low back pain supports exercise as one of the most reliable treatments. That is why Dr. Currington usually combines adjustments with rehab, stretching and posture work rather than relying on adjustments alone.
Sources
- NCCIH: Spinal manipulation: what you need to know (opens in a new tab)
- NCCIH: Chiropractic: in depth (opens in a new tab)
- American College of Physicians: Noninvasive treatments for low back pain (2017 guideline) (opens in a new tab)
- Rubinstein et al., BMJ 2019: Spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low back pain (opens in a new tab)
This page is general education, not medical advice. It cannot replace an exam. Results from any treatment vary from person to person.
