Before my last visit to chiro the whole side of my face hurt around an earache. The chiro used a jackhammer tool on my neck and the earache disappeared! When it came back I tried pummelling myself with my fist, and it worked!

Oh I Know this "jack hammer" tool you talk about. My chiro tried it on me on the lowest setting and it put me into the worst flare for 3 days!! It was awful.
Again shows how we are all different and respond differently to treatments.
I told him never again!!

I never had a hackhammer type used hard, it was gentle to mod, and worked so much better. I can not tolerate the neck cracking; I also have herniations though.
My best work out, is pressure points. The doc starts low and works up along the spine and across the traps;

I also get a deep massage until I cry....I may flare just a bit, but the pain I am in to get it done I really do not notice. The lumbar generally......I need deep kneeding in the hips butt, back to get any relief to walk any more...
More herniations there and S&I issues.
Some days I can not stand any more. Then I need the massage and trigger points along with a shot of Toradol The miracle med Feel better tied

I had a 2nd jackhammer treatment and it totally cured the earache. I suspect without this it would have run its normal course and needed antibiotics for infection. I believe part of this is the skill with which the jackhammer was applied. this doctor studied the x-rays, gently felt around, watched me move, knew when to stop, and described everything he was seeing and doing. I wish they were all like this.