What’s the Difference Between Spinal Manipulation and Spinal Mobilization?

When considering your first trip to a chiropractor, you may wonder about the various techniques they may use. Two of the most common techniques include spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization. What are the differences between the two? Is one better than the other?

Here’s what you need to know about these two techniques.

What Is Spinal Manipulation?

Spinal manipulation is a technique where a chiropractor uses their hands or a device to apply a controlled thrust to a joint in your spine. It’s relatively safe, with the most common side effects being temporary muscle stiffness or soreness.

What Is Spinal Mobilization?

Spinal mobilization involves using slow movement, usually to a firm endpoint of joint movement, to mobilize the joint. While spinal mobilization can achieve similar results to spinal manipulation, it doesn’t involve the same type of “back cracking” as and may be a better choice for certain people.

Which Is Better for Back and Neck Pain: Spinal Manipulation or Spinal Mobilization?

Both spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization are good for neck and back pain. However, there are circumstances and patients for whom spinal mobilization is the better option:

• People with sensitive nervous systems

• Those with advanced osteoporosis, certain types of inflammatory arthritis, bone pathology, and some types of deformity

• Patients in the acute stage of their condition and in severe pain

• People whose obesity makes it difficult to get them into the correct positions for spinal manipulation

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

For pain that affects your joints, bones, muscles, connective tissue, and cartilage, spinal manipulation and other types of chiropractic care can provide numerous benefits. Some benefits you may experience include:

• Reduced reliance on opioid pain medications

• Improved neck or back pain

• High levels of satisfaction with treatment

• More affordable than some other treatment types

• Relief from some types of headaches

• Potential reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms

• Reduced symptoms of scoliosis

• Improved posture

Chiropractic Care in South Florida

Whether you prefer spinal manipulation or mobilization, County Line Chiropractic Medical & Rehab Center may be able to help improve your back pain, neck pain, or headaches. When you come in for your appointment, we’ll discuss your pain, then perform a physical exam and an x-ray, MRI, or other tests to determine the cause of that pain. Then, we create a customized care plan.

With spinal manipulation or mobilization, physical therapy, and other treatments, we can offer non-invasive, natural long-term healing for various types of pain. We address the root cause of your pain rather than simply masking it.

Schedule an Appointment Now

To get chiropractic care, contact your nearest County Line Chiropractic location today and schedule an appointment. We have 6 locations across South Florida in Pembroke Pines, East Fort LauderdalePlantation, Lauderhill, North Miami Beach, and Miami Gardens.

When you’re ready to deal with the actual cause of your pain rather than trying to manage the pain itself, schedule an appointment or walk into County Line Chiropractic and see the difference we may be able to make in your life.