Joint Manipulation helps to relieve pain and dysfunction by decreasing internal joint pressure. It also releasesendorphins (pain reliever), and changing mechanoreceptor afferent flow (how the brain communicates with the joint governing it’s movement).
The “click” or “pop” heard/felt during this technique is not the bones coming into contact with each other, but actually gas leaving an area of the joint capsule. The capsule(s)surround the joint where movement occurs in the spine.
Sometimes a small piece of material called a meniscoid can become trapped/pinched within the joint space; this is particularly common in the neck and usually results in an uncomfortable “catching” sensation, with greatly reduced range of movement. Manipulation can help free thejoint the space, returning the joint to pain free normal range of motion.
