Chiropractic Care

Each year, millions of Americans seek chiropractic care for injuries, spinal conditions and other ailments. Effective chiropractic services for our patients —  including spinal manipulation and decompression therapy — can help offset many issues and provide relief from such persistent and painful conditions as sciatica. Chiropractic adjustments may even help some patients avoid surgery and other invasive procedures.

Time Procedure Length: 8 min

More about chiropractic care

Living life to the fullest can be difficult when your body aches, but our experienced team can help. We offer chiropractic services for a myriad of spinal and extremity joint disorders. These may range from headaches, neck pain, lower back pain, sciatica, herniated discs and spinal stenosis. We offer all these treatment options and procedures at all of our locations.

During your initial consultation, we will meet to get a better understanding of your pain and develop a customized chiropractic treatment plan that is right for you. This may involve X-rays, CT scans and other diagnostic tests. We will work together — with you and your existing providers — to develop an effective treatment plan.

What is spinal manipulation?

Spinal manipulation is one of the most common chiropractic techniques used today, but it has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. This technique occurs when a trained chiropractor applies a controlled, sudden force to a joint with their hands or an instrument. Chiropractors do this while a patient’s body is in a specific position, as this helps maximize benefits and reduce the risk of injury.

Greek writings from 1500 B.C. mention spinal manipulation and describe how maneuvering the lower extremities eases low back pain. Hippocrates, the Greek physician for whom the Hippocratic Oath is named, published texts about the importance of chiropractic care. “Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases,” Hippocrates states in one of his medical writings.

In the United States, spinal manipulation first grew popular in the 19th century. In 1895, Daniel David Palmer founded the chiropractic profession in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer was a respected medical expert and had significant knowledge of global developments involving anatomy and physiology. In 1897, Palmer opened the Palmer School of Chiropractic.

Today, chiropractic care is available in all 50 states and in countries around the world. You can request chiropractic care in New Jersey by visiting one of our many offices.

What happens during a spinal manipulation session?

During a spinal adjustment you may be seated, lying face up, or face-down on a chiropractic table where the doctor may apply slight pressure with their hands or use a small hand held instrument to help realign the small vertebrae back into their healthy position. Sometimes the patient hears a subtle audible noise such as a “click”.  This is normal and signifies that an appropriate adjustment has occurred.

Spinal manipulation is one of the most popular chiropractic services. Chiropractic patients sometimes receive spinal adjustment as a standalone service, but you can also pair it with treatments such as spinal decompression therapy or cold laser therapy.

Does spinal manipulation hurt?

Spinal manipulation is generally quick and painless, though you may experience some mild discomfort. Your body gets used to being misaligned, so it needs time to process any changes that occur as we gently place a slipped disc back in place. However, many of our patients experience immediate relief, though it takes multiple sessions before maximum recovery occurs.

What is spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression creates negative pressure, in order to decrease disc and joint pressure, which in turn helps reduce back pain.

This noninvasive, nonsurgical treatment gently pulls and stretches your spine as you relax on our padded table. As your spine moves via motorized traction, pressure gets released from your discs.

Pain can occur when you have bulging or herniated discs because these discs press against your nerves and muscles. Moving these discs toward their correct positions relieves pressure, all while stimulating your body’s natural healing response by releasing oxygen, water and other nutrients.

Does spinal decompression hurt?

Many patients consider spinal decompression a pleasant experience, but it can cause muscle spasms or minor discomfort. However, it is still a much safer alternative to many types of back surgery. Our compassionate team can help you decide if you are a good candidate for spinal decompression therapy and other chiropractic services.

Who is a good candidate for spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression isn’t for everyone, but many patients love it. This noninvasive treatment is ideal for patients who have one or more of the following conditions:

  • Herniated discs
  • Bulging discs
  • Sciatica
  • Injured spinal nerves
  • Degenerative disc disorders
  • Worn spinal joints

You should avoid spinal decompression if you are pregnant, or if you have a spinal condition that requires surgery, such as a fracture or tumor.

How long does spinal decompression take?

A typical spinal decompression treatment at Northeast Spine and Sports Medicine lasts approximately 15 minutes. You may need multiple sessions, though many patients notice some improvements after just a few visits. The number of sessions you’ll need is likely to be based on the severity of your condition, your lifestyle and your body’s reaction to spinal decompression.

Is chiropractic care safe?

When administered by a licensed chiropractor, spinal manipulation is safe.

Before scheduling a chiropractic appointment, let our staff know if any of the following apply:

  • You have a pacemaker.
  • You have a defibrillator.
  • You have recently had surgery, especially a procedure involving your neck or back.
  • You have recently recovered from a heart attack or stroke.
  • You have osteoporosis.
  • You have cancer.
  • You are taking blood-thinning medications.
  • You have a fractured or broken bone.
  • You are pregnant or nursing.

Chiropractic care may still be safe for you if some of the conditions above apply. Our skilled staff will help you decide if you should visit a chiropractor or try our other treatment options. In addition to chiropractic care, we offer services such as physical therapy, acupuncture therapy, laser therapy and PRP injection therapy.

Don’t spend another day battling spinal pain or musculoskeletal problems. Reach out today and schedule a consultation for chiropractic care or our other beneficial services.