Dr Adriaan Liebenberg My Spine Explained | Page 115

My Spine Explained
Adjustments are performed by hand and consist of a high velocity; low ampli-
tude thrust being applied to a specific vertebra in the spine. These adjustments
can cause the patients experience immediate relief as the normal joint motion
and the associated physiological changes occur, which result in decreasing
pain, swelling and muscle spasm.
However in some patients several treatments will be necessary. When some
adjusting techniques are applied a popping or cracking sound may be heard
which is due to the gas and fluid inside the joint shifting around. This will not
happen every time a manipulation is performed and is not an indication that
the treatment is more or less effective.
Due to the fact that the pathology underlying the spinal pain is essentially a
wear-and-tear condition, there will be further pain and dysfunction at some
point in the future and the patient will have to return for further treatment if
the symptoms do recur. They number of treatments required and the period
that the patient will have relief of their symptoms depend on a whole host of
factors. This include the type of underlying problem, the severity of the prob-
lem, associated factors that have an influence on the underlying problem and
many more.
It is a frequent question from many patients whether chiropractic treatment is
safe. This is due to the fact that the manipulations performed can be seen as
a threat to the person and is mainly due to a lack of knowledge of this treat-
ment method. It is a well-studied and well developed treatment that has a long
and successful history.
However as with any medical treatment there are some risks. These can
include sprains and strains of the muscles or nerves, aggravation of the under-
lying inflammation, dislocation of the bony elements and rarely a fracture of
the underlying bony elements or damage of the blood vessels associated with
the spine. You should always ask your chiropractor about the risks and com-
plications that may potentially be associated with this kind of treatment and
whether you personally may me more prone to any of these complications.
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