How An Adjustment Works
During the initial assessment, of either horse or dog, I am looking for vertebrae that are 'misaligned'. This may be a joint or multiple joints that are out of line with the ones either side of it. It may also be a joint that is 'stuck' within its normal range of motion. The process of returning that joint to its normal ability to move is called an 'adjustment'.
The definition of a chiropractic adjustment is: A short lever, high velocity, controlled thrust by hand that is directed as specific articulations to correct vertebral misalignments.
A common misconception is that the chiropractor is forcing a bone back into place. There is no physiologic way that someone could muscle a bone back into place on an unanaethetised horse.
In basic terms the adjustment sends a signal to the body's innate healing mechanism. This signal contains what is need to 'fix' the misalignment. Because of the neural dysfunction involved, it's like the body's healing mechanisms have only been able to see the misalignment in a fog, and therefore have been unable to correct it. The adjustment is like a sudden lightening flash which helps to overcome the misalignment and realign the body.
The adjustment itself is simply a super quick movement of the misaligned bone through its normal range of motion and causes reflexive relaxation of the surrounding musculature. This movement is so fast that it must be accurate with regards to angle, timing and force. Sometimes a bone is unable to be moved through its entire range of motion during the adjustment. Nevertheless the sudden stimulus that the adjustment sends is still sufficient for the body to begin the healing process.