What Is Extremity Adjusting and How Do I Know if I Need It?
When most people think of chiropractic care, they think of the spine. That makes sense, since the spine is where chiropractic started and where much of my work still happens. But your body has many more joints than the ones in your back and neck, and they don’t work in isolation.
A shoulder that doesn’t move well changes how your neck works. A stiff ankle changes how your knee, hip, and low back take on load with every step. That’s where extremity adjusting comes in, and it’s a big part of how I approach care at our Kentwood chiropractic office.
What Extremity Adjusting Means
Extremity adjusting is chiropractic care applied to the joints outside the spine. This includes:
Shoulders
Elbows
Wrists and hands
Hips
Knees
Ankles and feet
The goal is the same as with spinal care: to support healthy joint movement, reduce physical stress on the body, and help your body function the way it was designed to. The techniques, however, are specific to each joint. An ankle adjustment looks and feels very different from a neck adjustment, and the amount of force is adapted to the joint, the person, and what the exam shows.
Why I Pursued Extra Training in It
After chiropractic school, I completed post-graduate training in the Mally Method, which focuses on evaluating and adjusting the extremities. I pursued it because I kept seeing patients whose spinal complaints were connected to a joint somewhere else.
Not every chiropractor evaluates or adjusts the extremities in depth. If you’ve seen a chiropractor before and they never looked at your shoulder, knee, or foot, that doesn’t mean they did anything wrong. It may just mean that area wasn’t a focus of their training. It’s a fair question to ask any chiropractor before your first visit.
Signs You May Benefit From Having Your Extremities Evaluated
Extremity adjusting may be worth considering if you notice things like:
A shoulder that feels stiff, clicks, or doesn’t reach overhead the way it used to
Elbow, wrist, or hand discomfort that builds with typing, gripping, tools, or repetitive work
Hip tightness that shows up after sitting or during activity
Knee discomfort that changes with stairs, squatting, or running
Ankle or foot stiffness, or an ankle you’ve rolled more than once
Back or neck pain that keeps returning even when your spine is being cared for
That last one is important. When back pain keeps coming back, I want to know what’s happening further down the chain. I wrote more about that in my post on chiropractic care for back pain in Kentwood and Grand Rapids. Our condition page on how we approach back pain is another good resource.
Who I Commonly See for Extremity Concerns
Working adults. Desk work strains the wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Warehouse, trades, and healthcare work load the knees, hips, and feet for hours at a time. I cover those patterns in my post on work strain and chiropractic support for Kentwood’s working adults.
Athletes and active people. Runners, lifters, golfers, and young athletes all put repeated demands on their extremities. You can read more about chiropractic care for athletes at The Wellness Way Grand Rapids.
Families. Kids, pregnant moms, and older adults may all have extremity concerns, and care is adapted to each person’s age and health history. I explain more in my post on family chiropractic in Kentwood.
What an Extremity Evaluation Looks Like
When you come in with an extremity concern, I start with your history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, and what your daily activities and work involve. From there, I evaluate:
How the joint moves compared to the other side
Strength, stability, and any pain with specific movements
How the joints above and below the area are moving
How your spine connects to the problem, since many extremity complaints have a spinal component
Basic neurological screening when numbness, tingling, or weakness is involved
Physical stress is usually the most obvious factor with extremity concerns, but I still ask about sleep, nutrition, and overall stress. These can influence how your body recovers, especially when a problem has lingered.
When Extremity Adjusting Is Not the Right Fit
Some joint problems need medical evaluation first. I’ll refer you out, or recommend you seek care promptly, if you have:
Inability to bear weight or use the joint after a fall or injury
Significant swelling, bruising, or deformity after trauma
A joint that is red, hot, and swollen, especially with fever
Signs of a possible tear, such as a pop at the time of injury followed by instability or locking
Numbness or weakness that is getting worse
A recent surgery or joint replacement in that area, unless your surgeon has cleared you
Sometimes imaging, a specialist, or physical therapy is the better next step. Knowing when to refer is part of doing this work well.
What Care Looks Like at Our Office
Extremity care is included as part of individualized care at The Wellness Way Grand Rapids. It isn’t a separate program you have to buy into. We’re a cash-based practice with no long-term contracts, and you can review our pricing before your first visit. HSA and FSA are accepted, and a superbill is available on request.
If you want more detail on the service itself, you can learn more about extremity adjusting on our service page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is extremity adjusting?
Extremity adjusting is chiropractic care for the joints outside the spine, including the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. The goal is to support healthy joint movement and reduce physical stress on the body.
Does every chiropractor do extremity adjusting?
Not every chiropractor evaluates or adjusts the extremities in depth. I completed post-graduate training in the Mally Method, which focuses on extremity adjusting, so it’s a regular part of how I evaluate patients.
Does extremity adjusting hurt?
Most people find it comfortable. The amount of force is adapted to the joint, the person, and what the exam shows. If something feels wrong during care, we stop and adjust the approach.
Extremity Adjusting in Grand Rapids and Kentwood
The Wellness Way Grand Rapids is at 3682 29th St SE, Suite A. As a chiropractic office in Kentwood, we see patients from Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Cascade, Caledonia, East Grand Rapids, and communities throughout West Michigan.
If a shoulder, knee, wrist, or foot has been bothering you, the first step is a thorough evaluation. Start here as a new patient, or learn more about Dr. Gates and how he approaches care.
This post is written for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Dr. Gates Maier, DC | The Wellness Way Grand Rapids | 3682 29th St SE, Suite A, Kentwood, MI 49512 | Michigan Chiropractic License #2301010994 | NPI #1841887866