Why Do Chiropractors Adjust Areas That Don't Hurt?

Posted: May 4th, 2020

It is one of the most common questions we hear at our Harrogate clinic:

“My lower back is the part that hurts—why are you adjusting my neck?”

It is a completely fair question. If you go to a dentist with a toothache, you expect them to look at that specific tooth. However, the spine functions differently.

Pain is often a master of disguise. Where you feel the pain is not always where the problem started.

Here is why treating the "pain-free" areas is often the key to long-term relief.

The "Circuit Breaker" Analogy

To understand your spine, imagine the electrical wiring in your home.

If you plug too many appliances into a single socket in the kitchen, the circuit becomes overloaded. However, the fuse box might be in the hallway. When the system becomes overwhelmed, the "trip switch" flips in the hallway to cut the power and protect the house.

If you only looked at the kitchen socket, you wouldn't find the problem. You have to go to the source—the fuse box—to reset the system.

Your body works in a similar way.

When a specific joint in your spine becomes stiff or restricted (the tripped switch), it stops doing its share of the work. Your body is smart; it forces other joints to work harder to pick up the slack.

Eventually, those overworking joints become inflamed and painful (the overloaded socket).

Treating the Fire, Not Just the Smoke

In this scenario:

• The Painful Area: Is simply the victim of being overworked.

• The Pain-Free Area: Is often the culprit—the stiff, restricted joint that isn't moving properly.

If we only treated the painful area, we might give you temporary relief. But because the cause (the restriction elsewhere) hasn't been addressed, the pain is likely to return once you resume your daily activities.

By adjusting the stiff, non-painful areas, our goal is to restore proper movement to the whole chain. This allows the overworked, painful areas to finally rest and heal.

How Chiropractic Can Help

At Falcon Chiropractic, we don't just chase symptoms. We conduct a thorough assessment to see how your whole body is functioning mechanically.

Our care aligns with NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), which recommend manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, for the management of low back pain and sciatica.

By restoring function to the "quiet" but restricted areas of your spine, we aim to:

• Reduce Load: Take the pressure off the painful tissues.

• Improve Mobility: Help you move freely without stiffness.

• Prevent Recurrence: Stop the cycle of compensation and injury.

Still Unsure? Let’s Check Your Mechanics.

If you are dealing with a nagging ache that just won't go away, it might be time to look beyond the painful spot.

Contact Falcon Chiropractic today to book your consultation. Let's find the root cause of your discomfort and get you moving again.

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