Do Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt? Here’s What Patients Really Feel

Chiropractic adjustments are also known as spinal manipulations. It is a cornerstone of Chiropractic care aimed at improving joint function, alleviating pain, and enhancing overall mobility. A common question among those considering Chiropractic treatment is whether these adjustments cause pain. The answer depends on several factors, including the patient’s condition, pain tolerance, the chiropractor’s technique, and individual expectations. Let us explore what patients experience during and after chiropractic adjustments. 

Chiropractic care has become a viable form of treatment. This treatment is now available in cities like Jammu. There are centres like Swasthya Shastra. As the founder and lead consultant at Swasthya Shastra, I’ve poured over two decades of my life into building a sanctuary for those battling pain and seeking true wellness. 

What Happens During a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment involves a chiropractor applying controlled, sudden force to specific joints, usually in the spine, to correct the misalignments or improve mobility. The most common technique is the high velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust, which often produces a characteristic “pop” or “crack” sound. This sound results from a gas bubble collapsing in the synovial fluid within the joints, not from bones rubbing together or breaking. 

Do Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt?

For most patients, Chiropractic adjustments are not painful. Here is how patients usually feel during these adjustments: 

1. During the Adjustment

Here is how a patient feels during Chiropractic Adjustments: 

• Mild Pressure or Stretch: The most common sensation is a brief feeling of pressure or a stretching sensation as the joint is manipulated. This is often quick, lasting only a second or two. 
• The “Pop” Sensation: The audible pop. It sometimes is quite startling. The sensation is generally not painful.  Many patients find it satisfying as it accompanies a sense of release or relief in the adjusted area. 
• Discomfort in Acute Cases: If a patient has an acute injury, inflammation, or severe muscle tension, the adjustment may cause momentary discomfort. This is normally mild or short-lived discomfort, as the chiropractor works to mobilize the affected area. 
• First-Time Anxiety: New patients may feel apprehensive, which can amplify the perception of discomfort. However, once they understand the process, subsequent visits often feel more comfortable. 

2. After the Adjustment

Here is how a patient feels after the Chiropractic Adjustments:

• Immediate Relief: Many patients report immediate relief from pain, discomfort, stiffness, or tension for conditions like chronic low back pain or neck stiffness.
• Soreness or Achiness: Some patients report soreness and achiness, similar to the feeling after a workout. This is more common after the first few adjustments or when treating areas with significant tension or inflammation. The soreness resolves within a period of 24 to 48 hours. 
• Rare Side Effects: It is important to highlight that serious adverse effects are rare. A 2010 systematic review in Spine estimated that mild side effects, such as temporary soreness, occur in about 30-55% of patients, but severe complications such as nerve damage or stroke are exceedingly rare, with rates below 0.01% for cervical adjustments. This is good enough to conclude that no major side effects occur due to Chiropractic adjustments. 

Also, read Best Chiropractic Treatments for Lower Back Pain in the Indian Lifestyle

What Patients Say?

This is the most important question. This is listening from the horse’s mouth.  Let us dive in to know what patients say: 

1. Positive Experiences: Many patients describe the adjustments as “weird but good” or “relieving.” For example, a 2023 X post from a user with chronic neck pain described their first adjustment as “a quick snap that felt strange but instantly loosened my neck.” Another user linked it to “popping a knuckle, but for your spine.”

2. Mild Discomfort: Some patients do report brief soreness, particularly after the first session. A patient reports, “Felt a bit sore for a day, like I’d worked out, but my back pain was gone by day two.”

3. Varied Reactions: A small minority reports discomfort if the adjustments target a highly sensitive area. Patients can be heard saying, “It didn’t hurt, but my lower back was tender when they adjusted it because of my sciatica flare-up.”

Conclusion

My name is Dr. Gaurav Vaid, and if there is one thing I have learned in my 22+ years as a practicing physiotherapist, certified chiropractor, osteopath, and kinesio practitioner, it’s that healing isn’t just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about empowering people to reclaim their vitality. Swasthya Shastra, our physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre in the heart of Jammu, is not just a clinic; it is a testament to holistic care, where cutting-edge techniques meet compassionate understanding.

For further queries, please reach out to Dr. Gaurav Vaid or Swasthya Shastra.