Isn't it Possible to Hurt Someone by Twisting Their Neck?
Isn't it possible to hurt someone by twisting their neck?
Yes, it is possible.
When you twist the neck you increase the chance of injury. When the neck is twisted, there is a higher probability to sprain ligaments and strain muscles. The risk of injury only increases when haphazard brute force is used to twist the neck.
An adjustment though is not predicated on the need to “twist the neck.” Twisting the neck to move joints is not the same thing as a specific adjustment to correct a vertebral subluxation. ‘Neck twisting’ and ‘ specific adjustment’ are not synonymous.
Some Chiropractic techniques do twist the neck as part of the adjustment. The upper cervical technique I utilize doesn’t twist the neck to achieve the adjustment, but it does turn the neck to set up the adjustment. What’s the difference?
Turning the neck prior to the adjustment is done in order to stabilize the cervical spine. Stabilizing the cervical spine prior to the adjustment helps remove unwanted movements. So stabilizing the cervical spine by turning the neck first, helps remove the need to twist the neck during the adjustment. After the neck is turned and secured, no further turning or twisting is used in the actual adjustment.
An adjustment is a controlled force, employing leverage, direction, amplitude and velocity applied to a specific vertebra for the purpose of correcting a vertebral subluxation. Extra consideration needs to be focused on the phrase “specific vertebra.” A vertebra is a singular spinal bone, not many spinal bones.
For a proper adjustment to occur the patient should be supported in a static and stationary position. Simply put: If you need to move the whole spine to move one bone, too much force is at play.
Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby.
