Are chiropractic adjustments safe?

Yes, when performed by a qualified, registered practitioner following a thorough assessment. Dr. Jan Jones utilizes an extensive clinical history and orthopedic examination to select the safest and most appropriate technique (from manual to low-force instrument-assisted) for your specific body and condition.

Chiropractic Adjustments & Techniques

Q: What is the difference between an adjustment and mobilisation?

An adjustment (spinal manipulation) is a highly specific, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust designed to restore joint motion. Mobilisation is a gentler, slower, rhythmic stretching of the joint used to increase range of motion without a sudden thrust.

Q: Do I have to hear a 'cracking' sound for the treatment to work?

No. The 'cracking' sound (cavitation) is simply the release of gas bubbles inside the joint capsule during a manual Diversified adjustment. Techniques like the Thompson Drop Piece, Activator, or NIP restore joint function completely effectively without any popping sound.

Why We Avoid a "One-Size-Fits-All" Approach

Every human body is mechanically unique. An adjusting technique that works perfectly for a 25-year-old athlete with acute sports-related stiffness may be entirely inappropriate for a 65-year-old patient managing osteoarthritis.

At Silky Oak Chiropractic, we firmly believe that the treatment should fit the patient, not the other way around. Our extended appointment times allow Dr. Jan Jones to select from a wide clinical toolbox, utilizing both traditional manual adjusting and modern, low-force instrument techniques to achieve optimal joint function safely.

By conducting a thorough initial assessment, we determine which specific technique—or combination of techniques—will provide you with the safest and most effective functional recovery.

Dr Jan Jones providing comprehensive chiropractic care

Our Core Adjustment Modalities

Depending on your clinical presentation, comfort levels, and age, we utilize the following specialized techniques to restore mobility and down-regulate pain signals.

Diversified Technique

The most widely recognized manual chiropractic adjustment. This technique involves a precise, high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust delivered by hand to restricted joints. It is highly effective for restoring normal biomechanical function to the spine and extremities. Diversified adjustments often produce a "cavitation"—the familiar, harmless popping sound caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint fluid.

Thompson Drop-Piece Technique

A highly effective, low-force technique utilizing a specialized treatment table with segmented "drop" mechanisms. When the adjustment thrust is applied, a specific section of the table drops a fraction of an inch. The drop piece absorbs the force, making it a very comfortable approach that is exceptionally effective for restoring alignment to the pelvis and lumbar spine without heavy manual twisting.

Neuro-Impulse Protocol (NIP)

An advanced, extremely gentle technique founded on precise neurological assessment. NIP does not involve any "cracking" or manual joint manipulation. Instead, it utilizes very specific, light touch and directional impulses to stimulate mechanoreceptors (nerve endings) in the joint, communicating directly with the brain to normalize muscle tone and restore structural balance.

Activator & Joint Mobilisation

For patients who require or prefer an ultra-low-force approach, we utilize instrument-assisted adjusting (Activator) to deliver a rapid, targeted impulse to the joint. Additionally, we employ rhythmic joint mobilisation—a slow, smooth stretching of the joint capsule designed to increase range of motion gently, which is ideal for highly inflamed joints or elderly patients.

Clinical Transparency & Patient Choice

Our clinical objective is to restore your movement safely. We prioritize your comfort and always explain the proposed adjusting technique before we proceed.

We do not lock patients into restrictive care plans. You will receive ethical, evidence-based care tailored precisely to your goals.

Backed by Clinical Research

Spinal manipulative therapy is a heavily researched intervention. Clinical guidelines published by the World Health Organization (WHO), the American College of Physicians, and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) consistently recommend spinal adjustments as a primary, frontline non-pharmacologic treatment for acute, subacute, and chronic musculoskeletal pain, citing significant improvements in both pain scores and functional capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an adjustment and mobilisation?

An adjustment (spinal manipulation) is a highly specific, quick thrust (high-velocity, low-amplitude) applied to a joint to restore its normal movement. Mobilisation, on the other hand, is a much gentler, slower, rhythmic stretching of the joint and its capsule, designed to gradually increase range of motion without a sudden thrust.

Do I have to hear a 'cracking' sound for the treatment to work?

Not at all. The "cracking" sound (cavitation) is simply the release of gas bubbles inside the joint capsule during a manual Diversified adjustment. While many patients enjoy this release, techniques like the Thompson Drop Piece, Activator, or NIP restore joint function completely effectively without any popping sound.

How do you decide which technique to use?

During your Initial Assessment, Dr. Jan Jones takes a thorough medical history and conducts an orthopedic and neurological examination. Based on your specific condition, age, bone density, and personal comfort preferences, we collaboratively select the safest and most effective approach for you.

Book Your $70 Initial Assessment

Chiropractic Adjustments & Mobilisation