Each joint within the body has a normal range of motion.  Some joints have an obvious large range of motion, such as the elbow. However, many of the joints in the body have a much more subtle range of motion, such as the vertebrae in the spine.  

Chiropractic assessments focus on this normal range of motion to find areas of decreased mobility or restriction.  Restricted regions result in inflammation to the surrounding tissue and pressure in the nerves.  Some of the nerves that are affected are responsible for proprioception, which gives the body feedback about balance and movement.  A chiropractic adjustment uses specific high velocity, low amplitude manipulations to relieve restrictions in the joints to decrease the inflammation and allow proper nerve function.