How does an adjustment help with pain?

How does an adjustment help with pain? 

◦ When we think of a joint, where two or more bones come together - the joint is surrounded by a pieces of connective tissue referred to as a joint capsule. The joint capsule is almost like a piece of skin surrounding the joint that helps to keep the joint healthy by housing fluid within the joint that allows for motion, but also protects the joint at the same time. The capsule itself is heavily innervated by small receptors for the nervous system that provide information on tension, position and pain. The nervous system is able to tune into these messages from the joint capsule and when there is inflammation in areas surrounding the joint, or if the joint itself is irritated, the pain sensors in the capsule itself will send messages to the brain saying there is pain in that area. When performing an adjustment over the area, it puts a small stretch on the joint capsule, which helps reset those receptors in the joint capsule, and that results in immediate pain relief. It also results in a relaxation of the surrounding muscles that attach to areas around the joints. This exists in all areas of the body - not just the spine. This happens in the arms and legs as well, which is why chiropractic care can be helpful for the whole body and not just the spine.

-Dr Konner Ackerman