I know...you come into the office and I “crack” your spine.It feels great, but why does it work?
This is a little geeky, but hopefully I will make this clear.
Each of your 24 vertebra are attached to the one above and below by a small pair of joints. Those joints, called “facet joints,” are located on the right and left side of the process of bone that you feel when you touch your spine.
It’s very important that these joints move freely, through all of their ranges of motion. This movement helps to keep your vertebra, discs and back muscles healthy, and also creates nerve impulses that go into your spinal cord and brain that help manage your balance, coordination and certain aspects of your overall health.
Still with me?
Spinal Movement
For a number of reasons those joints, instead of moving freely, become locked up. This can be caused by injury, stress, sedentary living, repetitive motions, strain, computer use, poor posture, etc. Over time, this can cause:
- Pain and Muscle Spasm
- Disc Degeneration / Herniation
- Spinal Arthritis or Stenosis
- A Chronic Stress Response
- Irritation of Nerves
When I manipulate your spine, I carefully feel how your facet joints are moving and then I use a gentle force to “unstick” the joints that are locked up. I then encourage my patients to move and exercise at home to further promote normal spinal movement.
Why Does Manipulation Have to be Done Repeatedly?
Usually it takes manipulating the spine repeatedly over a period of time to restore normal movement. Just like physical therapy or exercise, it takes repetition and time to re-pattern the way your body moves.
For some people, their spines begin to move more freely in just a few visits. For others it takes longer. For many of us general life stress, spinal degeneration/arthritis, disc disease and aspects of our lifestyles (i.e. computer work and sitting), necessitate getting manipulation intermittently to keep our spines healthy and pain-free.
Manipulation is safe and very effective, but I don’t do traditional manipulation with everyone. Some people have conditions that make manipulation contraindicated, and others just aren’t comfortable with it. For those patients I use more gentle “non-force” techniques to mobilize the joints in your spine.
There are many techniques to normalize the motion of spinal joints, and I’ll always what’s best for you. Combined with soft tissue treatments, exercise rehab, good nutrition, management of stress and lifestyle modifications, spinal manipulation gets most people feeing better and stronger, and more able to do what they want to do…free of pain.
Our Team
Dr. Charno is amazing. I feel like I should wait to review until I have had more than one appointment, but as someone who has had almost 40 years of chiropractic care, I know when I have found someone great. Dr. Charno is not only knowledgeable, experienced and talented, but has a powerful healing demeanor. I have seen countless doctors for my MS, but after one session I feel better than I have in years.
Nora P
A talented healer, and a great listener. I've known Dr. Charno for decades, and am thrilled that he has relocated his practice to the Mid-Hudson Valley. He treated me yesterday using Graston technique, and it really helped sooth and release a nagging muscle injury. His practice is part of the lovely Izlind Wellness Center in Rhinebeck.
Will H
Dr. Charno is hands down the best chiropractor I’ve been to. He genuinely cares about his patients and takes extra time to ask questions, understand pain, and develop action plans to relieve symptoms. He’s open minded and looks at issues from all angles, performing informed adjustments and following up with workouts and stretches to reinforce them. He is personable, caring, and an all-around wonderful doctor. I would recommend him to anyone!
Tessa Z
Dr. Charno has literally gotten me through months of quarantine. His online strength training classes have me stronger and healthier than I was six months ago. When it became possible, I began seeing him in his office and found a comprehensive and holistic approach to chiropractic. His treatment is state of the art and includes specific exercises to reinforce the adjustment. He always follows up with online exercise reminder videos. Bottom line is that Dr. Charno is a caring, effective, healer.
Amy H
I have stated to Dr. Charno that prehab for joint replacement should indicate strength training just as rehab requires physical therapy. Dr. Charno has the expertise of Chiropractic and sports injuries. I am looking forward to becoming a Dr. Charno Chiropractor patient!
Jane B
I have MS, scoliosis, and a lot of wear and tear from being a gymnastics coach for many years. Needless to say, I have a lot of issues. Dr. Charno has not only met my challenges with ease, but has changed my life. Because of him I am no longer in constant pain. I even stopped having to use a cane since seeing him regularly. If I ever have to move, I hope it is commutable to Rhinebeck so that I can forever see Dr. Russell Charno for chiropractic care.
Nora P
I suffered years of degenerating function. One visit to Russell Charno, DC, restored at least 70% of my mobility. Unlike other chiropractic offices, this doc only sees one patient at a time. My appointments are always intensive, more than an hour and 100% hands-on. I have experienced ongoing improvement. I now take CrossFit classes because I have my mobility back.
Maria C