The Art of Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation - also called spinal manipulative therapy - involves using precise manual techniques to move vertebrae and restore proper joint function. Chiropractic Doctors also use the word "adjustment" to describe manipulation.
 
       "The art of manipulation requires great skill and takes a great deal of practice to perfect. The concert pianist practices his art daily to maintain a high standard. This applies equally to the art of manipulation" - Dr. Alland Stoddard DO, MD

This art requires years of professional training and is safe only when performed by a licensed Chiropractic Doctor.

Although spinal manipulation involves a quick thrust with speed, it is over an extremely small range of movement - much like when someone cracks their knuckles. This cracking sound is termed "cavitation". This sound is made by the gas bubbles that escape the joint fluid because of the low pressure created by the mechanical forces imposed to the joints of the spine.

In North America, a minimum of 6 years of university-level training is required to obtain a chiropractic license to practice. Independent government and medical studies in the U.S., Sweden and in New Zealand have concluded that chiropractic education is equivalent of medical education in all of the basic sciences.

In comparing the details of both medical and chiropractic education, the emphasis is slightly different. Chiropractic education is as comprehensive as medical education with an emphasis on orthopedics, neurology, nutrition, spinal biomechanics and physiology. Medical education emphasizes on pharmacology, toxicology, surgery and obstetrics.

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