Can I do chiropractic adjustments myself?
One of the most common questions that I get from patients is if they can adjust themselves. To answer simply, no, not even chiropractors can adjust themselves. Most people view the adjustment as just “cracking” your back and don’t understand the purpose that the adjustment serves.
How can I realign myself without a chiropractor?
Here are a few stretches and exercises you could try at home:
- Rotational pelvic tilts: Lie on your back with your knees bent.
- The latissimus dorsi stretch: Grab your hands together above your head and stretch your arms as high as you can.
- Neck tilts: Grab the top of your head with your right hand.
Can I adjust my own neck?
To start, try stretching your neck slowly, moving it from side to side and around in circles. Often, we are not aware that we are holding our shoulder or neck stiffly, causing tension and pain. Actively stretching your neck is a safe alternative to adjusting your own neck.
How can I crack my body like a chiropractor?
Seated chair twist
- Sit tall in a chair with your back straight and your hips and feet facing forward.
- Slowly twist your upper body to the right as far as you can comfortably go while keeping your hips and feet locked in position.
- Hold for a few seconds.
- Return to center.
- Do the same movement to the left.
How can I align my back by myself?
Keep your posture in mind, even if you’re taking it easy.
- Moving regularly is key! Don’t sit for too long, even in an ergonomic office chair.
- Keep both of your feet flat on the floor. Consider a footrest if necessary.
- Keep your back aligned against the back of your chair. Avoid leaning forward or slouching.
How can I realign my neck and spine at home?
Can I crack my own neck like a chiropractor?
Occasionally popping your neck gently probably won’t do any harm. But doing it too often, incorrectly, or with too much force could result in you feeling more pain than you did before. The real risk of self-adjusting care isn’t joint damage. It’s failing to get the professional alignment you need for lasting results.
How do you know if your neck is out of alignment?
Move your neck from left to right to see if you have any limits to the mobility of the cervical spine. If you have pain when you turn your neck in one direction, or if you can’t turn the head as far to one side as you can to the other, your cervical spine probably isn’t aligned.
How can I align my spine by myself?
How do I know if my spine is out of alignment?
Possible signs that your spine is out of alignment include:
- chronic headaches.
- lower back pain.
- neck pain.
- knee pain.
- hip pain.
- frequent illnesses.
- excessive fatigue.
- numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
How can I pop my lower back at home?
While standing, make a fist with one hand and wrap your opposite hand around it at the base of your spine. Push up on the spine with your hands at a slight upward angle. Lean back, using the pressure of your hands to crack your back. Move your hands up your spine and do the same stretch at different levels.
How do I know if my neck is out of alignment?