If you have never been to see a chiropractor and are nervous, don't be. They will do an evaluation of your back. This is likely going to include X-rays and a physical manipulation, with their hands, to feel your alignment. Depending on the needs of each patient, many Iowa chiropractors have specialized equipment that helps to decompress the spine. Compression can be caused by being on feet a lot, being overweight, and sometimes just as a byproduct of aging. You may genetically prone to some of these issues, for example.
Your Iowa chiropractor will likely prescribe some exercises that they want you to do. This is to help build your core muscles back up to help any aligning that they do to stay that way. If your muscles are not pulling correctly, no aligning that they do on you will stay that way. So, part of your treatment path will likely include some exercises to be done like physical therapy.
Spinal manipulation generally results in some cracking and popping. For most patients, this feels good. As bones move, blood flow can get back into the spaces between the vertebra. This blood brings in oxygen and other important cells. When blood flow is restored, the body can now begin to repair itself in most cases. The plasma, which is a component of your blood, brings with it the tools necessary to make repairs to the body and fight infection and inflammation. Your Iowa chiropractor is helping your body get back to the best position to help itself. It's a noninvasive way of being treated for most people.