What you feel during the adjustment
You lie on your side with your head resting on a small support. The instrument’s tip rests lightly against the skin behind your ear. When it fires, most people notice a faint tap or vibration and a clicking sound from the machine. Many are surprised it is over so quickly.
Why it is so light
The atlas is a small ring of bone, and the correction needed is usually measured in fractions of a degree. The technique relies on direction, not force. X-ray measurements set the angle, and the instrument delivers a brief impulse along it.
What you might notice afterward
Responses vary. Some people feel nothing different at first. Others notice their head feels lighter or their neck turns more easily. As muscles adapt to a new position, it is also possible to feel:
- Mild soreness or tiredness in the neck for a day or two
- Sleepiness later that day
- Temporary awareness of muscles you had not noticed before
These reactions are usually short-lived. Tell your provider about anything that worries you.
If you are nervous about neck adjustments
Many people who come in for upper cervical care have avoided chiropractors because they do not want their neck turned or cracked. That does not happen with this technique. If you are nervous, say so at your first visit and your provider will walk you through each step before doing anything.
After your adjustment
Drink extra water, rest, and follow any at-home instructions you are given, including any supplements recommended.