A Den Haag Chiropractor explains What Really Happens During a Chiropractic Adjustment

Most people recognize the sound of an adjustment—a quick movement, a “pop,” and then often a feeling of relief or increased mobility. But what’s really happening? Is it bones cracking? Is something being “put back in place”? And what is that sound?

At Essential Chiropractic, we hear these questions daily. The truth is more interesting (and much less dramatic) than the myths.

Myth vs Fact: What Really Happens During a Chiropractic Adjustment

Myth: Chiropractors “crack” your bones.

Fact: The sound you hear is called cavitation — a harmless gas bubble shifting inside the joint fluid. Bones don’t crack, and nothing is breaking.

Myth: Adjustments “put bones back into place.”

Fact: Nothing is being relocated. Adjustments restore motion and influence how your nervous system coordinates muscles, joints, and posture.

Myth: Chiropractic is only for back pain.

Fact: Pain is just one reason people seek care. Adjustments can improve mobility, muscle tension, stress resilience, athletic performance, and recovery.

Myth: If it doesn’t pop, it didn’t work.

Fact: The sound is not the goal and not the measure of success. Many effective adjustments make no sound at all.

Myth: Adjustments are aggressive or forceful.

Fact: Most adjustments are gentle, precise, and tailored. Babies, adults, athletes, desk workers, and seniors can all be adjusted safely using different techniques.

Myth: Once you start, you always have to keep going.

Fact: Care plans depend on goals. Some people come for pain relief, others for movement, training, stress, or prevention — just like exercise or dental hygiene.

Myth: Chiropractors only work on the spine.

Fact: We regularly adjust hips, shoulders, wrists, ankles, ribs, and more — anywhere there’s a joint affecting motion or function.

Myth: Chiropractic only affects the joints.

Fact: The primary target is the nervous system. Better motion improves how the brain interprets information from the body.

Myth: Soreness afterward means something went wrong.

Fact: Mild soreness or sleepiness can happen as your body adapts — similar to after a workout. It typically settles quickly.

Myth: Adjustments are dangerous.

Fact: Chiropractic adjustments are well-researched, safe, and effective when performed by trained professionals. Serious complications are extremely rare.

The Bottom Line

Chiropractic adjustments are a simple way to improve how your body moves and how your nervous system processes information. The goal is ease, efficiency, and better function — not cracking bones or forcing things “in place.”