The hallmark of chiropractic treatment is the spinal adjustment, a manipulation of the vertebrae — the individual bones that make up the spine. The purpose of the adjustment is to make sure those bones, through which the spinal cord stretches, are properly aligned. That’s important because the nerves that carry information from the brain to various parts of the body emanate from the spine, and reach out between the vertebrae.

A vertebra in an improper position can impair the function of the nerve and cause a problem — pain or malfunction — in the affected body part. The chiropractic term for a misaligned vertebra is subluxation. The chiropractor will determine your need for manipulation based on your description of your symptoms and on a visual inspection or by feeling your spine, a technique called palpation.

In the course of the exam, the chiropractor can detect increased temperature, swelling, unusual muscle tone or muscle spasms. He or she may also use x-rays. As the chiropractor works on realigning vertebrae, there may be a “popping” sound. It’s no cause for alarm. It’s just the sound of gas escaping from a joint, just as you would hear while cracking your knuckles. Talk with your chiropractor for more information about spinal adjustments.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.