The chiropractor applies pressure to the area that is immobile or not moving properly. The philosophy behind chiropractic adjustment is to return the joints to more normal motion. Good joint motion is essential for the health and nutrition of the discs and joints because it permits the exchange of nutrients, fluids, and waste. Good motion helps reduce pain, muscle spasms or imbalance, and improves nervous system function and overall health. Without movement, discs and joints may degenerate more quickly than normal.
Motion also reduces the formation of scar tissue, which can lead to stiffness and degeneration.
There are hundreds of ways to adjust the spine. Through education, training, and clinical experience, chiropractors become very skilled in the application of spinal adjustment techniques. Because chiropractic care is a conservative, natural approach to health care, it is considered a very safe treatment. All licensed chiropractors have a college degree and at least four years of professional training from an accredited chiropractic college. All chiropractors must serve an internship at a chiropractic college clinic.