Spinal Adjustments

Spinal adjustments are the cornerstone of chiropractic health care. Known in scientific literature as spinal manipulation, the adjustment's goal is to restore proper motion and function in the joints of the spine - you have 132 joints in your spine alone! When the joints of the spine are not moving properly, they affect the surrounding tissues including the spinal nerves causing inflammation, pain, and decreased function locally and wherever affected nerves extend to. Dr. Krohse at Compass Chiropractic in Clive on the west side of Des Moines will correlate the findings from each patient's exam, X-rays, and specific functional tests to determine which joints in the spine are not moving properly. He will then adjust each dysfunctional joint using a quick, precise thrust or a traction type of motion as described below in order to restore proper motion and function and allow healing. Dr. Krohse is able to modify his technique to make adjustments safe and comfortable for patients of any age and size.

For your benefit and comfort, Dr. Krohse has specialized in three different types of adjustments suited to different patients and conditions.

Hands-on or Manual Adjustments

Chiropractic built its reputation with hands-on adjustments. When delivered by a skilled practitioner such as Dr. Krohse this style of adjustment is generally pain-free and is very effective at restoring dysfunctional spinal joints to their proper motion and function. Though some new patients feel nervous about having their neck adjusted with the hands-on style of chiropractic, Dr. Krohse earns the trust of patients so that they can relax. He also takes great care to avoid surprising new patients and avoids rotating the neck to the side much during the adjustment. Most new patients are excited about how smoothly their first hands-on adjustment goes and how quickly they experience increased range of motion and decreased pain. Properly applied hands-on adjustments are suitable for patients of all ages and sizes.

Activator Instrument-Assisted Adjustments

Activator instrument-assisted adjustments are perfect for patients who prefer not to experience hands-on adjustments, or for select individuals not suited to hands-on adjustments as determined by Dr. Krohse. This instrument has proven itself effective at restoring spinal joints to normal function with a precise mechanical impulse. No movement or turning of the neck is required. Some patients prefer to have Activator adjustments of their neck but hands-on adjustments of their back. Dr. Krohse is pleased to be able to accommodate these patients.

Flexion Distraction Adjustments

The most commonly treated condition in a chiropractic office is low back pain. After all, 85% of Americans will suffer incapacitating low back pain in their lifetime and 40% of Americans with back pain lasting more than two weeks will go to a chiropractor. For this reason, Dr. Krohse has invested in the special equipment and training necessary to provide extremely effective flexion distraction adjustments of the low back. These adjustments are performed on a special table that stretches out the structures of the low back, under the expert guidance of Dr. Krohse. It is especially effective at relieving chronic low back pain and sciatica (pain down the leg).