Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Hurt? Plymouth Answers The single biggest thing keeping people out of my office isn't cost or scheduling — it's the question of whether the adjustment is going to hurt. After 15-plus years of practice, I've talked thousands of nervous first-timers through that worry before they ever got on the table. Here at my Plymouth, Minnesota clinic, I see patients from two years old to 97 — sports injuries, auto injuries, workers' comp, general back and neck pain, and all-around wellness. Some walk in excited because they've watched adjustment videos online. Others found us while searching for answers to pain and have no idea what's about to happen. That second group is why I spend extra time explaining the work before I do any of it. Key Takeaways THE CHALLENGEFear of pain and the popping sound stops many people from getting their spine looked at in the first place. THE ADJUSTMENTI match the technique to the patient — manual adjusting, the drop table, or the Activator — so the stuck joint moves with as little force as possible. THE RESULTThe adjustment itself is usually comfortable and pressure-relieving, with any soreness afterward being short-lived and manageable. Fear is almost always about the unknown, so I lead with what I'm actually looking for before I touch anyone. My job is to find the segments that have stopped moving and get them moving again, not to crack everything at once. That philosophy shapes every one of the chiropractic techniques I use, and it's why two patients with the same complaint can get two very different adjustments. Project Summary Client Profile: First-time and nervous chiropractic patients, ages two to 97 Project Location: Plymouth, Minnesota — serving the Twin Cities and West Metro Primary Objective: Explain exactly what an adjustment feels like before any hands-on work begins, so patients can make an informed choice about chiropractic care services Techniques Used: Manual (diversified) adjusting, the drop table, and the Activator instrument, selected per patient using adjustment methods matched to comfort and bone density Key Outcome: Stuck segments move again with minimal force, and patients know what to expect before, during, and after the visit What a Stuck Joint Actually Is Start with the brain at the top of the spine. The brain sends a signal down the spinal cord to every cell, organ, and tissue in the body, and the spine is built to bend, twist, and move while that happens. When a segment gets stuck and can no longer wiggle, it partially pinches those nerves so they can't send a complete impulse. That stuck joint is what we call a subluxation — an incomplete or partial dislocation, where the bones of a joint can't hold their normal position or handle the movement they're supposed to have. My main job is to identify those segments, address them, and get them moving again in a way that feels good. Everything I do on the table serves that one goal, whether we're working on back pain relief or stiffness in the neck. How the Adjustment Actually Feels For a mid-back adjustment, I have you lie face down. You take a deep breath in, and on the exhale I follow your breath all the way through while applying pressure, then give a very small push. It's gentle and relaxing. For the low back, I prefer side posture: bottom leg straight, top leg bent, arms crossed in front. One of my hands stabilizes your torso, the other sits on your low back, and on the exhale I add a little twist — sometimes we hear that click, which is just gas releasing from the synovial fluid in the joint. It's safe, and it can be a bit loud when it's close to your ears. If a lot of movement makes you uncomfortable, the drop table is a valid option — you relax, I lift the table about a quarter of an inch, press on the segment that needs to move, and the table drops with a loud bang. I always warn people about that noise, especially parents who bring little kids in. The Activator, which most patients call the clicker, delivers a small impulse right on the joint with very little force. I lean on it often for patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis, and for people sensitive to quick head movement, including those dealing with vertigo chiropractic care. You can read more about how I approach each case on my Meet Dr. Bomberg page. Technique selection — manual, drop table, or Activator — is matched to each patient's comfort level and bone density. What Happens After Your Adjustment Is there pain during the adjustment? Typically no. When a joint is very tight and we have to get it to move, you might feel a little pinch, but it's usually comfortable and it relieves a lot of pressure. How tender an area feels depends more on how long it's been injured — a few hours versus a few years changes everything about how that spot responds. Some soreness afterward is common, because we're making real changes to your body. Heat on the area helps calm it down, gentle stretching helps, and ibuprofen or Aleve is a good option if you're able to take it. I warn every patient about this up front, and I like to see people again quickly after that first visit so I can assess how they responded within 24 hours. Change is good — but I want to be there to guide it, not leave you guessing. Still Nervous About Your First Visit? We adjust patients of every age and comfort level here in Plymouth, from toddlers to folks in their nineties. I'll show you exactly what I'm going to do before I do it, and if a technique doesn't feel right to you, we use a different one. It's your body and your choice. Wondering if an adjustment is the right next step for your back, neck, or headaches in Plymouth? Reach out and we'll walk you through it. Bomberg Chiropractic 15600 35th Ave. N #101, Plymouth, MN 55447 Call (763) 450-1755 or Schedule Online Frequently Asked Questions Does a chiropractic adjustment hurt at your Plymouth office? Typically no. When a joint is very tight and isn't moving the way it should, you may feel a brief pinch as it releases, but most patients describe the adjustment as comfortable and pressure-relieving. My approach errs on the side of gentler rather than more forceful, and the goal is to move the one stuck segment rather than everything at once. Can I get adjusted without having my neck twisted? Yes. The Activator instrument delivers a small, precise impulse directly to the joint with very little force and no rotation. I use it regularly for patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis and for anyone sensitive to quick head movement. The drop table is another low-force option. I don't care which style gets the job done, as long as you're comfortable and the segment moves. Is it normal to feel sore the next day? Mild soreness or just feeling different afterward is common, because we're making changes to how your spine moves. Heat on the area helps settle it, gentle stretching helps, and ibuprofen or Aleve is fine if you're able to take it. I like to see new patients again shortly after that first visit so I can check how they responded within the first 24 hours.