Spinal Adjustments in Chicago, IL
At Chiropractic Chicago, our Chicago chiropractic spinal adjustments focus on restoring healthy motion to the spine and reducing pressure on nerves.
Dr. Elissa Grossman provides spinal adjustments in Chicago using precise, controlled techniques tailored to each patient’s condition and comfort level. The goal is not force, but accuracy, helping the spine move the way it is designed to move so the nervous system can function more clearly.
Call (312) 248-3002 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
What Causes Spinal Misalignment & Joint Restriction?
Spinal misalignment and restricted motion often develop gradually. Dr. Grossman explains that many patients experience symptoms after a small movement even though the underlying problem has been building for years. Common causes include:
- Long-term altered posture and movement: Sitting, screen use, and repetitive daily habits change spinal mechanics over time.
- Old injuries or micro-trauma: Falls, car accidents, or sports injuries may leave lasting restrictions.
- Degenerative changes: Reduced disc and joint nutrition can limit motion and irritate nerves.
- Birth and early life stress: Spinal stress can begin early and progress silently for decades.
These restrictions may not hurt at first but can contribute to pain and nerve irritation later.
How Do We Diagnose Spinal Joint Dysfunction?
Diagnosis begins with understanding how the spine is moving, not just where pain is felt. Dr. Grossman uses a combination of clinical tools to identify restricted or irritated areas. Evaluation may include:
- Detailed health history: Symptoms, lifestyle, injuries, and how long issues have been present.
- Postural and range-of-motion assessment: Identifying areas that are not moving properly.
- Orthopedic and neurological tests: To check nerve involvement and joint stability.
- Imaging when appropriate: X-rays or referrals used to better understand alignment and degeneration.
This information guides where and how adjustments are performed.
Spinal Adjustment Treatment Plan
Spinal adjustments are delivered as part of a personalized care plan based on age, condition, and spinal findings. Dr. Grossman emphasizes restoring motion gradually and safely.
Care plans may include:
- Targeted spinal adjustments: Focused on restricted joints to restore movement and reduce nerve pressure.
- Low-force instrument adjustments: Used when appropriate for sensitive areas or patient comfort.
- Supportive therapies: To relax muscles, improve circulation, and help adjustments hold.
- Progress monitoring: Re-evaluations to track how the spine responds over time.
Adjustments are adapted as healing and stability improve.
Spinal Adjustment Patient Case Study
Active Working Professional With Cervical Nerve Pain
Patient info: Male patient in his early 40s with an active lifestyle and a physically demanding work routine that involved long hours, frequent movement, and sustained neck positions.
Symptoms: Progressively worsening neck pain with pain radiating into the arm and shoulder. The patient also reported stiffness, reduced neck mobility, and nerve-related discomfort that began interfering with work tasks and daily activities.
Root cause analysis: Comprehensive evaluation revealed restricted joint motion in the cervical spine with associated nerve irritation. These restrictions were contributing to referred arm pain and ongoing neck tension rather than being caused by a single recent injury.
Treatment plan: Care focused on targeted spinal adjustments to restore cervical motion, combined with supportive in-office therapies to reduce muscle tension and improve circulation. As symptoms improved, guided home exercises were introduced to support stability and prevent recurrence.
Outcome: Within the first month of care, arm pain resolved completely and neck pain was reduced by approximately 80 percent. The patient reported improved range of motion, easier movement during work, and better overall comfort.
Patient feedback: “I didn’t realize how much my neck was affecting everything until it started moving better. I feel way more functional now.”
Cervical Joint Restriction With Radiating Arm Pain
Patient info: Adult male patient in his 40s with an active lifestyle and no recent trauma, presenting with gradually worsening neck and arm symptoms.
Symptoms: Chronic neck stiffness, radiating arm pain, and nerve-related sensations affecting functional movement and tolerance for daily activities.
Root cause analysis: Clinical assessment identified cervical joint restriction with nerve irritation originating from the cervical spine. Findings suggested long-standing altered motion rather than an acute injury.
Treatment plan: A conservative chiropractic care plan was implemented, including targeted spinal adjustmentszto restore joint mobility, supportive in-office therapies to improve tissue response, and progressive home exercises to reinforce spinal stability.
Outcome: Significant improvement was observed within the first month of care, including full resolution of arm pain and approximately 80 percent reduction in neck pain. Functional mobility and tolerance for activity improved accordingly.
Spinal Adjustments Patient Testimonials & Reviews
Doctor Experience in Spinal Adjustments
Dr. Elissa Grossman has extensive experience providing spinal adjustments for conditions involving the neck, back, discs, and spinal nerves. She commonly treats patients with neck pain, back pain, sciatica, disc bulges, herniations, and nerve-related symptoms.
Her approach emphasizes precise diagnosis through detailed history, movement assessment, and neurological testing, followed by conservative, non-surgical chiropractic care. Dr. Grossman focuses on restoring spinal motion, reducing nerve pressure, and supporting long-term spinal health rather than short-term symptom relief. When findings indicate the need for medical or surgical evaluation, she makes appropriate referrals to ensure coordinated and safe patient care.
Book an Appointment for Spinal Adjustments
If you are experiencing symptoms requiring back pain treatment, neck pain, or nerve symptoms, spinal adjustments may help.
What is a spinal adjustment?
A spinal adjustment is a controlled chiropractic technique used to restore motion to restricted spinal joints and reduce nerve irritation.
Are spinal adjustments painful?
Most patients describe adjustments as comfortable. Techniques are adapted based on the area treated and patient preference.
How long does it take to see results?
Some patients notice changes quickly, while others improve gradually over several weeks depending on the condition.
Are spinal adjustments safe?
When performed by a trained chiropractor after proper evaluation, spinal adjustments are considered safe and conservative.
Do spinal adjustments help nerve pain?
By reducing joint restriction and pressure, adjustments may help improve nerve-related symptoms such as sciatica treatment needs or arm pain.
