Benefits of the Manual or HVLA Chiropractic Adjustment

Many patients still love the manual style of adjusting. I recently read an article on the many ways the manual chiropractic style adjustment benefits the body. I already knew most of them, but some of the benefits were new to me and are quite amazing!

Discover these benefits in relation to the systems they affect.

Biomechanical Effects of Manual Chiropractic Adjustments

1. The manual chiropractic adjustment, aka the High Velocity Low Amplitude (HVLA) adjustment, restores motion and increases mobility to the joint by stretching and gapping open the spinal facets.
2. The adjustment reduces spinal fixation by breaking up adhesions in the joint capsule and surrounding connective tissue. (I know personally if I don’t get adjusted, it hurts my upper back and spine when I sneeze. It feels like my sneeze runs into a brick wall!)
3. The adjustment decreases intra-articular pressure, leading to a reduction in joint stiffness and enhanced lubrication of the joint cartilage. It also increases the fluidity and motion of the synovial fluid. This effect reduces the degenerative process in the joints of the spine and all synovial (articulated) joints in the body.
4. The popping you hear (the cavitation) is a release of the gas bubbles in the synovial fluid caused by sudden pressure changes. The bubbles are made of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and oxygen (O2).

Neurological Effects of Manual Chiropractic Adjustments

1. The rapid mechanical impulse activates mechanoreceptors (pressure receptors) in the skin and joints, reducing the transmission of pain signals from nerve endings to the brain. The nerve endings that interpret pressure input are thinner and transmit information to the brain more efficiently than slower, thicker nerve receptors.
2. Reflex Inhibition – The adjustment temporarily relaxes the attached and surrounding muscles, resulting in a reduction of hypertonicity (excess stiffness) and spasm in the muscles that support the spine.
3. The impulses from the HVLA adjustment race through the spinal cord, interrupting pain input by shutting the pain gate. Pressure nerve impulses are faster than pain nerve impulses, and only one type of input can go through the gate at a time.
4. When normal joint motion is restored, the HVLA adjustment increases proprioceptive input, improving balance and motor control. (Proprioception is your awareness of the position of your body in space.)

Neurochemical and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Manual Chiropractic Adjustments

1. The manual adjustment causes the release of endorphins, creating a sense of pain relief and relaxation (that ‘ahhh’ feeling you get when the joint pops). Some patients feel sleepy after an adjustment for the same reason.
2. The adjustment also causes a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, which in turn reduces inflammation in the area. Frequent adjustments when someone is experiencing acute pain lessen this pain and inflammation. When this is done for someone who has chronic pain, it breaks the chronic pain cycle and often gives patients relief for the first time in years!
3. Activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis also reduces inflammation by releasing cortisol in the area. Short bursts of cortisol are safe and reduce inflammation, whereas chronic cortisol release can lead to long-term issues.

Vascular and Cerebral Spinal Benefits of Manual Chiropractic Adjustments

1. The HVLA adjustment increases blood flow and oxygenation of the tissues of the joint and paraspinal musculature.
2. The adjustment also increases the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the brain and spinal cord.

Physiological Benefits of Manual Chiropractic Adjustments

When pain has decreased and joint motion is restored, fear avoidance decreases, allowing patients to resume their normal gait, activities of daily living, and favorite recreational activities.

All types of chiropractic adjustments offer these benefits to some extent, but the manual adjustment is the master.

Our mission at Owens Chiropractic in Federal Way, Washington, is to help reduce your pain and naturally improve your quality of life. We are so happy to have you as our patient!

Ready to feel better? Contact us or schedule an appointment.

Schedule Appointment