You lie or sit on a padded adjusting table while the doctor positions you and then moves the joint a short distance. Researchers call a quick thrust of this kind manipulation, and slower, repeated movement of a joint within its range mobilization; the research on this page covers both.
Spinal and extremity adjustments
A chiropractic adjustment is a quick, controlled movement of a joint, given by hand, with the help of a drop table or with a hand-held instrument. At our Ross Township office, Dr. LeGault adjusts by hand (Diversified), on a Thompson drop table, with the ArthroStim instrument and on the joints of the limbs. Mild, short-lived soreness or stiffness afterwards is common and usually settles within about a day.
What is a chiropractic adjustment, by hand or by instrument?
An adjustment is a quick, controlled push to a joint of the spine or limbs, given by hand, with the help of a drop table, or with a hand-held adjusting instrument.
Which techniques does Dr. LeGault use?
Dr. LeGault adjusts by hand with the Diversified technique, on a Thompson drop table, with the ArthroStim instrument, and on the joints of the limbs.
- Diversified: adjustments by hand
- Thompson: drop table
- ArthroStim: instrument adjusting
- Extremity adjustments
Each one is explained below, and his profile describes Dr. LeGault’s techniques, training and the days he sees patients.
What is the Diversified technique?
Diversified is a hands-on technique in which the doctor uses a quick, shallow, controlled thrust by hand to move a joint of the spine or limbs.
It is the kind of adjustment most people picture when they think of chiropractic care, and Dr. LeGault uses it on the spine and on other joints.
What is the Thompson drop table technique?
The Thompson technique uses a padded table with sections that are raised slightly and then drop a short distance as the doctor applies a quick push.
The drop of the table section takes part of the movement, so you feel the table give way briefly under you.
What are extremity adjustments?
Extremity adjustments are adjustments of joints outside the spine, such as the shoulder, hip, knee, wrist, ankle or foot.
Dr. LeGault provides extremity adjustments. Our page on joint pain in the shoulder, knee or ankle explains how they fit with exercise and what the research says about joint care in the limbs.
What is ArthroStim instrument adjusting, and when is it used?
ArthroStim is a hand-held, electrically powered adjusting instrument: instead of a single thrust by hand, its tip delivers a rapid series of short, quick pulses to the area being adjusted.
Dr. LeGault uses the ArthroStim as one of his adjusting techniques, alongside adjustments by hand and on the drop table.
The research reviews cited on this page studied adjustments and mobilization given by hand. Their findings do not carry over to instrument adjusting, so we make no claims about the results of ArthroStim adjusting.
What does an adjustment feel like?
You feel the doctor position you and then a quick, firm push over the joint; some people feel sore or stiff for a day or so afterwards.
- By hand (Diversified): a single quick, shallow thrust once you are positioned.
- On the drop table (Thompson): a quick push as the raised section of the table drops a short distance under you.
- With the ArthroStim instrument: a rapid series of quick pulses from the instrument’s tip.
Tell your doctor at any point if something feels uncomfortable. The common after-effects and the rare serious risks are explained further down this page.
Does an adjustment have to crack?
No: a popping or cracking sound sometimes happens during an adjustment by hand, but it does not always happen, and the drop table and instrument adjusting work in a different way.
If you would rather not be adjusted by hand, tell Dr. LeGault: he also adjusts on the Thompson drop table and with the ArthroStim instrument, both described above.
What are adjustments used for?
At our office adjustments are part of care for back pain, neck pain, sciatica and neck-related headaches, as well as for joint problems in the limbs.
Each condition page explains what the research says for that problem, including its limits.
How do adjustments fit with exercise and advice?
Guidelines present adjustments as one part of a broader plan with exercise and advice, which is why care here can also include soft-tissue work and exercise.
What are the common after-effects and the rare serious risks?
Mild, short-lived reactions such as soreness, stiffness or a headache are common and most settle within about a day, while serious complications are rare; no treatment is risk-free.
Who should not be adjusted, and what is checked first?
A careful health history and examination come first, because some conditions, and some symptoms, mean an adjustment should wait, be changed or be replaced by a visit to a medical doctor.
Our new-patient page explains what happens before your first adjustment, and what to bring.
Which symptoms mean you should get medical care instead of an adjustment?
Sudden stroke-like symptoms, loss of bladder or bowel control, and pain after serious trauma need medical care first, and some of them need a 911 call.
Does insurance cover adjustments?
It depends on your plan: we accept the plans below, and if you call 412-364-4100 we can check your benefits before your first visit.
- UPMC
- Highmark
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
- Medicare (participating provider)
- Pennsylvania auto insurance (first-party medical benefits (PIP), billed directly)
- Workers’ compensation
Coverage depends on your plan.
Questions, answered
Can I book an adjustment online?
Yes. You can book online with Dr. LeGault on our booking page, or call 412-364-4100.
Can I be adjusted while I am pregnant?
Dr. LeGault provides chiropractic care during pregnancy and is certified in the Webster Technique. Our page on pregnancy chiropractic care explains what the research says and which warning signs need your obstetrician, your midwife or 911 instead.
Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC sees patients on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and SaturdayJust off McKnight Road, on-site parking
Who treats this
- Dr. LeGault (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday)
References
Spinal manipulation was associated with modest improvements in pain and function for up to six weeks in acute low back pain (moderate-quality evidence).
Compared with other conservative treatments, similar pain relief plus a small extra improvement in function at one month (low-certainty evidence).
Spinal manipulation by trained practitioners, after a check for conditions such as osteoporosis, as one part of a broader care plan (conditional recommendation, very low-certainty evidence).
A course of neck manipulation and a course of neck mobilization gave similar results (2 trials, moderate- to high-quality evidence).
Mild, short-lived reactions are common and serious complications are rare; a careful history and examination before treatment is essential.
A statistical association in younger patients, causation not established, rate probably low; patients should be told about the association before neck manipulation.
The same association was seen for chiropractor and family-doctor visits; no evidence of extra stroke risk with chiropractic care compared with primary medical care (observational).
Risk of a serious vascular incident is extremely small; history, blood pressure and neurological checks guide referral; sudden stroke-like symptoms need emergency care.
Emergency signs of a serious back problem: sciatica on both sides, severe or worsening weakness or numbness in both legs, saddle numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control.
Clinicians screen for serious problems (infection, cancer, cardiac or arterial problems, fracture) and refer when needed; fracture is ruled out after trauma.
Contact a doctor for back pain with unexplained fever, after a severe blow or fall, or with loss of control of urine or stool.