Most back pain is the result of inflammed and restricted joints. This is a very similar situation to having a twisted ankle. That is, a twisted ankle is a swollen joint that results in sharp pinching pain when bumped and has very limited movement.
When a joint is inflammed the swelling present impedes normal joint movement. The inflammation further restricts normal movement by laying down adhesions or scar tissue around the joints.
Chiropractors identify these joint restrictions by finding vertebral segments that are inflammed and painful. The chiropractic adjustment restores normal joint movement by freeing up joint restriction and breaking scar tissue around joints. This allows the joint to work normally. Swelling subsides from the joints as there is no longer as much joint and ligament tension in the area.
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Facet Joint Subluxation Model
Notice in this image, as in the one below, that the top two vertebrae are moving normally. The subluxation (vertebrae with abnormal movement) is occurring between the bottom two vertebrae. In this model the swelling exists within the facet joints at the back of the vertebrae. In the model depicted below the swelling exists within the intervertebral disc. | |
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Intervertebral Disc Subluxation model
Notice in this image that the top two vertebrae are moving normally. The subluxation (vertebrae with abnormal movement) is occurring between the bottom two vertebrae. |
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Post treatment The chiropractic adjustment restores normal movement to the bottom two vertebrae. The inflammation present within the joint does not go away immediately, however the adjustment allows the joint to move freely and normally so that tissue healing can occur and normal function can be restored. |