This is true of the Chiropractic adjusting instrument used by the Upper Cervical doctor. Patients know it works, but they do not understand how. It is a mystery how a “tap” behind the ear can make such a change in one’s health.

The instrument is a solenoid driven device used to apply a specific force into the body to align the spine (a solenoid converts electricity into a mechanical impulse). See the illustration below for details.

The electricity magnetizes the coil which moves the core forward. The core is attached to the stylus (or tip) of the instrument. The stylus is the part the patient feels during the adjustment.

The tip of the instrument is placed on the neck over the first bone in the spine. It is then positioned in the correct vector (or line of correction) based on calculations and analysis of the patient’s X-rays.

During the adjustment, the stylus compresses the skin, muscles and other soft tissue of the neck to deliver a force to the atlas (first bone at the top of the spine). This force puts the atlas in its proper position, thus reducing the interference to the nervous system.

Though Chiropractic adjusting instrument is high-tech, it need not be a mystery. It is “elementary my dear Watson!”