Can chiropractic adjustments relieve your back pain? Understand the method, benefits, and potential risks as an alternative treatment.

Chiropractic adjustment is a treatment aimed at improving movement and relieving pain in the spine. A chiropractor uses hands or instruments to apply quick thrusts to the spinal joints to realign them. This method is commonly used for lower back pain. During the first visit, the chiropractor will review your medical history and examine you, often using imaging tests to assess your spine. The adjustment involves positioning you on a padded table and applying controlled pressure to specific joints. You may hear popping sounds, which are gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide being released from your joints. Post-adjustment, you might feel mild soreness, headache, or fatigue, which usually improve within a day. Ice or heat packs and stretches may be recommended for relief. Chiropractic adjustments are considered safe when performed by licensed professionals, though mild side effects like soreness are common. Serious side effects are rare, but it’s important to consult a doctor if you have conditions like severe osteoporosis or spinal cancer. The treatment may help with lower back pain and neck pain, but evidence for other conditions is limited.