How to Perform a Lower Back Chiropractic Adjustment

Thousands of Americans suffer from lower back pain. There are a number of ways to ease back pain, including anything from herbal remedies to spinal surgery. One way to relieve acute or chronic lower back pain is through a chiropractic lower back adjustment.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Examine the patient's back before the chiropractic adjustment. If the patient's back is swollen, give her an anti-inflammatory and ask her to wait or come back at a different time. Wait for the swelling to go down before you perform an adjustment.

2. Ask the person receiving the chiropractic adjustment to sit on a flat surface and cross her arms in front of her body. Have the patient stretch her legs out in front of her.

3. Place her hands on her shoulders. This creates tension in her lower back and spine.

4. Tuck her chin into her body and place one of your hands on the nape of her neck.

5. Place your other hand on the patient's lower back. Your hand needs to be at the base of the spine, with your fingers pointing toward her neck. Be sure the center of your palm is in the center of the base of the patient's spine.

6. Lean the patient backward. Push up on her spine with the palm of your hand to deliver the chiropractic lower back adjustment.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes a pop is heard during the adjustment. This sound is air in the spine. Many times the air is what causes the patient's lower back discomfort.
• Never perform a lower back adjustment if the patient's back is swollen or inflamed.

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[ladylynx]

on 9/29/2009 Agreed! A friend of mine has ended up having to take medical disability because a "friend" said she could "fix" her neck pain. Well.... you can imagine how this story ends.... My friend can hardly turn her head without tremendous pain and the nerve damage is permantent.

[drbrennanhuls]

on 1/9/2009 If you are not a licensed Chiropractor you should not attempt to adjust anyone, period. To do so is a violation of the law. A Chiropractic adjustment is a highly specific and technically complex procedure that takes thousands of hours to master. Chiropractic is not a parlor trick. Adjustments are very powerful and without the proper training and practice even those with good intentions can do harm. Seek the care of a licensed Chiropractor.