What Are Chiropractic Adjustments?
A chiropractic adjustment is a precise, controlled movement applied to joints that have become restricted or aren’t moving properly. Think of it as “unsticking” areas where your spine or other joints have lost their normal motion, causing pain, stiffness, or compensation patterns throughout your body.
Unlike the one-size-fits-all approach you might have experienced elsewhere, every adjustment I perform is tailored specifically to your body’s needs, your activity level, and your recovery goals.
Why Your Body Needs Proper Joint Movement
When joints in your spine or extremities don’t move correctly, your body doesn’t just “deal with it.” Instead, it creates workarounds—other muscles work harder, different movement patterns develop, and often pain shows up in places that seem completely unrelated to the original problem.
For example, that nagging shoulder pain from your weekend tennis game might actually stem from restricted motion in your mid-back. Or persistent knee pain during your morning hikes could be related to how your pelvis is moving.
Unlike the one-size-fits-all approach you might have experienced elsewhere, every adjustment I perform is tailored specifically to your body’s needs, your activity level, and your recovery goals.
A chiropractic adjustment is a precise, controlled force applied to a joint that is restricted or misaligned. The goal is to restore normal motion, improve nerve function, and reduce pain. Unlike generic, high-volume adjustments, ours are based on a thorough biomechanical exam to ensure the technique is specific to your unique dysfunction and health goals.
No. Most patients describe the adjustment as satisfying, relieving, or feeling like immediate release of pressure. Since our adjustments are precision-based and collaborative, you will be in a comfortable position, and we will explain the process as we go. Any momentary discomfort is typically due to pre-existing tightness, not the adjustment itself.
The popping sound (called a cavitation) is simply the release of gas (oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide) from the joint fluid as the pressure rapidly changes. It is a natural and normal occurrence, similar to cracking your knuckles. It is the joint's movement, not the sound, that is the therapeutic goal.
This is one of the biggest differences in our patient-centered approach. We do not prescribe generic treatment plans. Frequency depends entirely on your thorough examination findings, your specific injury, and your response to treatment. Our focus is on providing the most effective, evidence-informed care to get you to your goals as efficiently as possible, whether that means one visit, a series of sessions, or a maintenance strategy.
Yes. Chiropractic care is safe and highly adaptable. Since we perform a detailed screening and assessment at every visit, we tailor the technique, force, and position to fit your body perfectly—whether you are an avid golfer, managing pregnancy, or focusing on long-term mobility.
My focus is on high-quality, personalized treatment, not volume. The longer appointment time ensures we can perform a proper reassessment, apply a multi-modal blend of techniques (like soft tissue work or Shockwave), and take the time for patient education. This thorough approach is designed to yield faster, more resilient long-term results, which provides better value.
"Evidence-informed" means Dr. Matt's decisions about technique, frequency, and additional therapies (like Shockwave or soft tissue work) are based on the latest, most credible medical and chiropractic research. I constantly review the evidence to ensure you receive the most effective care for your condition, prioritizing purposeful results over outdated or unproven methods.
Unsure if my approach can address your unique symptoms or help you achieve your movement goals? Schedule a free video or phone consultation with Dr. Matt. This brief, no-pressure call is a perfect opportunity to discuss your needs and see how our holistic chiropractic approach in Indian Wells can make a difference.