Spinal Adjustments
Spinal Adjustments at
The Decompression Clinic
Gentle, Precise, and Clinically Focused Chiropractic Care to Restore Alignment, Reduce Pain, and Improve Long-Term Function
Spinal adjustments are one of the core clinical services offered at The Decompression Clinic, used to correct misalignments in the spine, restore proper joint mobility, relieve nerve pressure, and improve overall musculoskeletal function. Unlike traditional chiropractic care that focuses solely on “cracking the spine,” our approach is gentle, targeted, evidence-informed, and highly individualized.
Dr. Jacob Plasker integrates spinal adjustments with corrective exercise, decompression therapy, and soft tissue work to create a full-spectrum healing plan that goes beyond quick fixes and works to restore the body’s natural movement, alignment, and balance.
Conditions That Benefit From Spinal Adjustments
For patients dealing with back pain, neck pain, herniated discs, sciatica, tension headaches, posture problems, or nerve symptoms, spinal adjustments offer both immediate relief and long-term structural improvement.
Our clinical style of adjustments is extremely effective for:
01.
Back pain & lower back instability
Adjustments restore lumbar mobility, reduce muscle guarding, and decrease disc pressure.
02.
Neck pain & forward head posture
Realigning the cervical spine reduces tension, increases mobility, and relieves nerve irritation.
03.
Herniated or Bulging Discs
Gentle adjustments combined with decompression help reduce compression and inflammation.
04.
Sciatica & nerve compression issues
Correcting spinal misalignments reduces pressure on the sciatic nerve and improves hip/lower back mechanics.
05.
Headaches and Migraines
Proper cervical spine motion reduces tension and nerve irritation that trigger headaches.
06.
Postural Issues
Adjustments play a key role in correcting structural imbalances that develop from sitting, repetitive stress, or previous injuries.
07.
Athletic Injuries
Restoring joint motion improves performance, recovery time, and movement efficiency.
- FOR ASSISTANCE
What Exactly Is a Spinal Adjustment?
A spinal adjustment (also called a chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation) is a controlled, precise force applied to a restricted or misaligned joint in the spine.
The goals are to:
- Restore normal joint motion
- Reduce inflammation and muscle tension
- Improve nerve communication
- Correct postural stress and misalignment
- Decrease pressure on discs and nerves
- Promote natural healing and better biomechanics
Adjustments create an environment where the spine can move properly and where surrounding muscles and nerves can function without irritation.
How Spinal Adjustments Work at The Decompression Clinic
Dr. Plasker does not use a one-size-fits-all method. Every adjustment is customized based on:
01.
Movement assessments
02.
Detailed posture evaluations
03.
Disc or nerve involvement
04.
Patient comfort level
05.
Imaging (if needed)
06.
Palpation findings
07.
Muscle firing imbalances (glutes vs. low back, deep core vs. superficial core, etc.)
We utilize a variety of adjusting techniques, including:
This allows us to treat patients of all ages, pain levels, and conditions safely and effectively.
01.
Diversified manual adjustments
Traditional, hands-on methods used to improve specific joint motion.
02.
Instrument-assisted adjustments
Ideal for patients needing extremely gentle, controlled correction.
03.
Low-force / gentle adjustments
For patients with severe pain, disc injuries, or high sensitivity.
04.
Drop table adjustments
Helps alignment with minimal force and maximum precision.
05.
Thoracic and lumbar mobility adjustments
To restore upper and lower spinal function.
06.
Cervical spine alignment
Critical for headaches, posture, and nerve function.
What a Spinal Adjustment Feels Like
Patients often describe spinal adjustments as:
Some adjustments create a natural “popping” sound called a joint cavitation — simply gas releasing from the joint. It is normal, painless, and not required for the adjustment to work.
01.
Relieving
02.
Pressure releasing
03.
Loosening
04.
Smooth and controlled
05.
Surprisingly gentle
06.
Immediately effective
Why Spinal Adjustments Work Best When Combined With Other Treatments
At The Decompression Clinic, adjustments are part of a whole-body clinical system that works together:
The result is a treatment plan that produces stronger, longer-lasting outcomes than adjustments alone.
01.
Corrective Exercise
Strengthens stabilizers + prevents recurring misalignments.
02.
Spinal Decompression
Reduces disc pressure + improves disc hydration.
03.
Spinal Adjustments
Restore alignment + joint mobility.
04.
Myofascial Release
Reduces muscle tension + improves tissue flexibility.
Why Spinal Adjustments Matter for Long-Term Health
Spinal adjustments correct these dysfunctions by:
Most patients experience pain not because something is “wrong with the muscles,” but because the spine has lost its normal motion or alignment. When a vertebra becomes restricted (a “fixation”), the body compensates by tightening muscles, altering posture, and placing more stress on discs and nerves.
Restoring proper biomechanics
Healthy spinal motion reduces the stress on discs, ligaments, and joints.
Enhancing nerve communication
Nerve pathways become more efficient when pressure and irritation are reduced.
Supporting long-term mobility and joint health
Regular adjustments help slow degenerative changes and reduce chronic tension patterns.
Reducing inflammation
When joints move properly, inflammation naturally decreases — leading to longer-lasting relief.
Improving posture
Forward head posture
Rounded shoulders
Pelvic imbalance
Uneven load distribution
Most patients experience pain not because something is “wrong with the muscles,” but because the spine has lost its normal motion or alignment. When a vertebra becomes restricted (a “fixation”), the body compensates by tightening muscles, altering posture, and placing more stress on discs and nerves.
Back Pain
Corrective exercise reduces lumbar compression, increases core stability, and restores proper hip function — the foundation for a healthy back.
Neck Pain & Forward Head Posture
We strengthen:
- Deep neck flexors
- Rhomboids
- Lower traps
- Postural stabilizers
This creates a stronger cervical spine and reduces strain on discs and nerves.
Corrective Exercise and Chiropractic Adjustments: Why They Work Better Together
Chiropractic adjustments restore joint motion and alignment. Corrective exercise then teaches the body how to maintain that stability between visits. Together, they create a system that:
- Reduces inflammation
- Prevents repeated misalignments
- Improves neuromuscular control
- Strengthens damaged or weak areas
- Protects the spine during everyday movement
This integrated approach is why patients at The Decompression Clinic experience longer-lasting relief and better functional outcomes than with adjustments alone.
Back Pain
Targeted exercises:
- Reduce disc pressure
- Improve spinal alignment
- Increase mobility in supportive joints
- Strengthen the muscles that stabilize the lumbar spine
Used with decompression therapy, it becomes one of the strongest non-surgical solutions for disc injuries.
Examples of Corrective Exercises We Use
We tailor programs using evidence-based movement therapy such as:
- Core stabilization routines
- Glute activation and hip strengthening
- Postural correction sequences
- Thoracic spine mobility drills
- Cervical stability and deep neck flexor training
- Hip hinge retraining
- Lumbar stabilization protocols
- Scapular strengthening for shoulder/neck alignment
These are paired with at-home programs so patients can continue improving between visits.
Posture and alignment
Balance and coordination
Flexibility and range of motion
Muscle activation
Long-Term Benefits of Spinal Adjustments
Patients experience improvements in:
Spinal adjustments also help prevent recurring episodes of back pain and neck pain by correcting the underlying mechanical issues that cause them.
Disc health
Sleep quality
Inflammation levels
Physical resilience
Spinal Adjustments at The Decompression Clinic in Bend, Oregon
The Decompression Clinic
Patients choose The Decompression Clinic because of our clinical precision, individualized treatment plans, and integrative approach. Dr. Plasker uses spinal adjustments as one of the foundational tools to help patients:
- Relieve chronic and acute pain
- Restore proper spinal movement
- Reduce disc and nerve irritation
- Improve posture and biomechanics
- Strengthen stability through corrective exercise
- Recover from injuries faster
- Return to daily life with more comfort and mobility
Return to daily life with more comfort and mobility
Whether you’re dealing with long-term pain, recent injury, spinal degeneration, or postural stress, spinal adjustments can help restore proper function and create long-lasting structural change.