How Chiropractors Find Adjustments
By Dr. Brant Hulsebus | Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic
One of the most common questions I get as a chiropractor is: “How do you know where to adjust?” Patients often hear me say, “There it is!” or “Found it!”—but what exactly am I finding? In this post, I’m breaking down the exact process we use in our clinic to make sure every adjustment is safe, specific, and effective.
Step 1: Your History
It all starts with your history. We take time to learn about your past injuries, health concerns, and symptoms. Each nerve in your spine connects to a specific body part, so your history helps us narrow down which area may be causing your issue. For example, if you’ve had stomach problems, we might look closer at T5, the thoracic vertebra connected to your stomach’s nerve supply.
Step 2: Full Spine X-Rays
We don’t guess with your health—we take full spine x-rays to see the big picture. Your body naturally compensates to keep your eyes level, which can cause your neck to shift if your lower back is misaligned. X-rays help us find the root cause, not just the compensations.
Step 3: Chiropractic Exam
During your first few visits, we perform a detailed chiropractic exam. We measure your leg lengths, check your hips, test your flexibility, and look at how your spine moves in different positions. This hands-on exam gives us critical clues about which joints are stuck or misaligned.
Step 4: Palpation (Feeling the Spine)
Finally, we use palpation—running our hands along your spine to feel how the joints and muscles respond. If a spot locks up or resists movement, that’s often where a subluxation is hiding. This is where the art of chiropractic really shines, as experienced chiropractors can feel subtle differences that newer doctors might miss.
Experience Matters
Our clinic has been serving Rockford since 1949, and we’ve passed down decades of experience from one generation to the next. This depth of knowledge allows us to find issues quickly and deliver results you can feel.
Team-Based Care
At Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic, we work as a team. If we encounter a complex case, we review x-rays and findings together and collaborate with other local chiropractors to find the best solution. Chiropractic care is not just an adjustment—it’s a thoughtful process designed to get you better faster.
Why Specific Adjustments Matter
Not all adjustments are created equal. A precise, targeted adjustment based on your unique findings leads to better, safer results. That’s why we take the time to gather all the data before ever delivering your first adjustment.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve been wondering how chiropractic could help you, come see us in Rockford. You can also listen to this topic on our Ask the Chiropractor Podcast to hear me explain the process in more detail.
Ready to start? Schedule your appointment today and experience precise, personalized chiropractic care.