Spinal Adjustment: A Simple Fix for the Complex Spine

Chiropractors work largely by making adjustments to the spinal column. Learn why this can offer relief with Groupon's look at this treatment technique.

To anyone who’s ever had to stare down a wall of heating pads, braces, pain relievers, balms, and ointments at the drugstore, it should come as no surprise that roughly 80% of the population experiences back pain at some point. And it’s easy to understand why: the vertebral column comprises dozens of bones (more than 15% of all bones in an adult body), all of which work in concert to protect the thick bundle of nerves running the length of the spine. During spinal manipulation, chiropractors perform a series of swift motions that realign all those intricate moving parts—usually with their hands but sometimes with a small device to help wrangle bones and soft tissue.

The spine’s organizational complexity calls into question the idea that someone can simply crack your back and fix it, but a wide range of studies have shown that over time there can be spinal benefits to having a trained professional make minor physical adjustments. Some studies have found that spinal manipulation can alleviate lower-back pain as effectively as pain-relief medications and other conventional treatments. The therapy also doesn’t carry some of the side effects of daily medication, and a chiropractor, osteopath, or physical therapist can customize treatments to target specific regions of tension and soreness.