What an adjustment does
When a joint in your spine or extremities isn't moving well, the muscles around it tighten and it hurts. An adjustment restores motion to that joint, which can reduce pain and help you move more freely.
What to expect
- Every adjustment starts with an exam, so it's aimed at the right place
- Gentle options are available if you're nervous or have a condition that calls for them
- Adjustments are paired with soft tissue work and exercise for results that last
When to see an orthopaedic specialist instead
If your exam shows something adjustments shouldn't treat, Dr. Broome will say so and refer you within SROSM. How to tell
Common questions
Does an adjustment hurt?
Most people feel relief or nothing more than pressure. Some soreness afterward, like after a workout, is normal.
What's the popping sound?
It's gas releasing from the joint when it moves. It isn't bones cracking, and it isn't required for an adjustment to work.
Medically reviewed by Keith W.V. Johnson, MD, FAAOS · Updated September 28, 2026