The sound is the part everyone asks about first. That crack or pop people associate with getting adjusted isn’t bones grinding or snapping into place, it’s gas bubbles releasing from the fluid inside the joint, the same phenomenon behind cracking your knuckles. It’s not required for an adjustment to work, and plenty of effective adjustments happen with no sound at all.
What’s Actually Being Corrected
A joint that’s lost part of its normal range of motion, sometimes called a restriction or fixation, doesn’t move through its full range the way it’s supposed to. An adjustment applies a precise, controlled force to that specific joint to restore that motion. It’s targeted, not generalized, which is why Dr. Devine spends time in the exam finding exactly which segment is restricted rather than adjusting broadly.
Why It Sometimes Takes More Than One Visit
A joint that’s been restricted for months or years didn’t get that way overnight, and it doesn’t always fully resolve in one adjustment either. The surrounding muscles have often adapted to the restriction, guarding around it, which is part of why a plan usually involves multiple visits rather than a single fix.
Does It Hurt?
For most people, no. The more common experience is immediate relief or a feeling of looser movement. If there’s been significant tension built up over time, some patients feel a brief intensity during the release, similar to a deep stretch, but it’s short-lived.
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