A chiropractic adjustment is a specific, precisely executed, manual force directed to a joint with the objective of restoring normal joint and nerve functions.

The "cracking" sound is caused by the release of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases as they are released from the joint cavity as the adjustment is made. It is NOT the sound of a joint "going back into place".

When spinal bones are not in their proper place, the openings between them can narrow. The narrow opening between the vertebrae can impinge on the nerves branching out from these spaces. This is commonly, though inaccurately, known as a "pinched nerve."

This interferes with the normal flow of energy along the nerve fibers. Messages traveling along the nerves will be distorted. If the full, normal energy flow cannot pass to and from the brain, some part of the body will be adversely affected.

We do not understand the human body well enough to predict exactly what effect a subluxation will have. The nervous system is far too complex for that. But we do know that any change in the flow of nerve energy has to result in an abnormal change in body function. Sometimes, the fact that there is nerve interference becomes obvious. We experience pain, soreness, irregularity, weakness, digestive disturbances or other health imbalances. These are symptoms of the body's dis-ease. They are NOT problems in themselves. They are outward alarms that a part of the human system isn't working right.

Ignoring these symptoms, or silencing them with pills, doesn't do anything to help the real problem. Unless we get to the root of the problem -- the nerve interference -- the affected organ will continue to function improperly and its health will decline. It is also important to note that symptoms such as pain and numbness / tingling occur the last sign of subluxation and occurs when subluxation has been present for a while. A person can not actually feel subluxation because only 10% of the nervous system picks up sensation and the other 90% does everything else.

When you were born, your body knew exactly what to do to keep you healthy. It knew how fast your heart should beat, how often your lungs should breathe, how you should digest your food, and a million other things about its own functions. Your body knew all this because it (and every other living thing) possesses what chiropractors call Innate Intelligence. This is the knowledge our bodies are born with -- knowledge that no school can teach!

Instructions from your Innate Intelligence are sent to every organ and cell in your body. If the instructions are received and followed properly, your body is able to reach and maintain its optimum level of health.

However, if there is any interference with the transmission of those instructions the result is less-than-optimum health. Your body can no longer function normally. It is said to be in a state of "dis-ease."

Joint dysfunction can affect the nerves, muscles, and blood flow associated with the joint itself. It can compensate for its own lack of movement making it work harder and become irritated and painful. Muscles in the affected area fatigue quickly, tighten up, and eventually go into spasm. Blood supply to both the muscles and the joints is also adversely affected. However, the effects of spinal joint dysfunction can be extremely diverse and subtle. Because spinal joints are richly innervated by nerves, and these nerves have direct connections to the spinal cord and the major nerve pathways supplying every tissue and organ in the body, the effect of even a minor joint dysfunction or subluxation may have a considerable impact on one's health.

Instructions from our brain are sent to all parts of the body as electrical impulses. These impulses travel along the spinal cord, which subdivides into individual nerve fibers throughout the body.

The spinal cord is protected by a "tunnel" of small, interlocking bones called the spinal column. The individual bones are called vertebrae. Nerves branch off from the spinal cord through small openings between the vertebrae. When each vertebra is in its proper position, the nerve fiber passes through without a problem. Nerve impulses can flow freely, racing to and from the brain at incredible speeds.

Although the spinal column is a sturdy structure, individual vertebrae can become misplaced. When that happens, it's called a vertebral subluxation. One of the most common causes of vertebral subluxation is automobile accidents. Yet, many everyday activities can result in subluxations as well. Picking up heavy objects, taking part in sports, and even sitting for prolonged periods at a desk can all put stress on the vertebrae.

Every aspect of the body is controlled by the nervous system. The spine has both a direct and an indirect relationship to the nervous system and can influence body functions far removed from the spine itself. Because muscles and bones are intimately linked – muscles being attached to bones – the interrelationship between the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems plays a critical role in the optimal health of every organ and tissue in the body. The interrelationship between these three systems is known as the "neuromusculoskeletal system" or NMS. The Doctor of Chiropractic can have an effect on the NMS by making small "adjustments" to the spine or other articulations of the body to improve joint, muscle, and nerve function.

A spine that is straight up and down or vertical when looking at it from the front or back, and a spine that has even-flowing curvature from the neck area over the ribcage, down into the low back, and over the pelvic area.

When our bodies are running at their god given potential and there is no interference between the brain and the nervous system. This means that the communication process required to run our bodies normally is uninterrupted.

Unfortunately, there are many cells and organs in the body that do not send out any alarms to alert us that they are not functioning at 100% capacity. Because of vertebral subluxations, they will not be receiving a normal flow of energy. The instructions from the body's Innate Intelligence will not be getting through properly.

If a subluxation continues undetected, the organ may suffer great damage, yet we won't even be aware of it! Because subluxations can destroy a person's health without any visible signs, they are often called "the silent killer."

If you wait until your body sends out pain or other clear signals, it may too late. You need to stop subluxations before they have a chance to do major damage and before they become difficult to correct.

You — and your entire family — need to visit a chiropractor regularly to make sure you can all lead a healthy, subluxation-free life.

All messages to and from the brain are electrical impulses traveling along a complex system of nerve fibers called the spinal cord, which extends from the base of the skull down the center of the back. It is protected by the spinal column — sometimes called the backbone — which forms a "tunnel" of small interlocking bones called vertebrae. Spaces between the bones allow nerves to branch off to various parts of the body.

This tunnel has to be strong enough to safeguard the nerves from injury, but flexible enough to allow the body to bend and move freely.

For the most part, the spinal column does a great job. But sometimes, one or more bones get out of proper alignment. The spaces between the bones might close up or the bones might rub against and irritate one of the nerves.

A spinal bone which has lost its normal placement or alignment, is said to be "subluxated." The impulses traveling along the nerve past a subluxated bone can become distorted. This is what causes interference with the instructions sent by Innate Intelligence to a part of the body.