Chiropractic adjustment — also called spinal manipulation — involves moving a joint beyond its usual range of motion but not beyond the range of motion the joint is designed to move, anatomically speaking. You often will hear a popping or cracking noise during chiropractic adjustment as the joint is manipulated.

The goal of chiropractic adjustment is to relieve pain and improve your body's physical function. Chiropractic adjustment is only performed by a doctor of chiropractic.