Chiropractors Draw on a Repertoire of Techniques
The Chiropractic profession is unique in its approach to treating health
problems. While medicine often employs only one major approach in treating a
health problem, Chiropractic may draw on many different approaches in treating
the same problem.
There is a wide variation of techniques used by different chiropractors.
Chiropractors focus on dysfunctions that can result from irregularities spinal
structure or movement. They rely heavily on hands-on procedures to determine
structural and functional problems, and they use manipulation to promote normal
bodily function correcting or preventing these structural deviations. The
principal procedure used by many chiropractors is a form of manipulation known
as adjustment that refers to a variety of manual mechanical interventions. There
are about 55 adjustments in a chiropractor's repertoire. Some of them are:
Manipulation is movement of short amplitude and high velocity that moves the
joint beyond where patient's muscles could move the joint by themselves but
short of ligament rupture.
Mobilization is movements administered by the clinician within physiologic joint
space in order to increase overall range of motion.
There are hundreds of ways or techniques to adjust the spine. Each chiropractor
becomes highly skilled in a variety of adjustment procedures that are most
suitable for your age, body type and condition. Some of the most common
chiropractic techniques used today are:
Diversified Technique
This is standard osseous (bony) adjusting of the full spine. There are some 58
"set-ups" for correction of the spine (called Spinal Manipulation), and some 140
for correction of extremities (called Extra-Spinal Manipulation), such as used
for knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder and wrist.
Gonstead Technique:
A full spine, specific technique using a particular protocol and very thorough
chiropractic diagnostic procedures, including palpation, spinal X-rays,
instrumentation, and the use of individual Gonstead tables.
Activator:
Detects and corrects dysfunction using a small percussive instrument which
delivers a light and measured force to correct misalignments. It is used to
gently and painlessly move the vertebrae.
Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique (BEST):
A non-force technique using subtle, yet precise pressure applied by hand to
remove blocked nerve energy, eliminate physiological interference and balance
sensory signals to the central nervous system.
Cox Flexion Distraction:
Involves traction or stretching of the spine designed especially to correct
lower-back pain.
Applied Kinesiology:
Applied Kinesiology deals not only with the placement of bones, but with the
muscles that hold them in position. Chiropractors employing applied kinesiology
use special techniques to help balance opposing muscles attached to a misaligned
bone. Light massage is given to various reflexes and sometimes to acupressure
points. This restores normal muscle function, in order to allow the adjustments
to be more effective.
Thompson Terminal Point:
A table-assisted technique for the full spine with standard protocols, using a
drop-piece on the Thompson table for the adjustment.
Palmer Toggle Recoil Technique:
A speed and precision adjustment in which the hands are placed over the
subluxation and the elbows snapped to give sudden pressure. There is no joint
cracking.
Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT):
A system of challenges to specific locations on the spine to determine the exact
locations needing correction. Padded blocks are placed under the patient in the
pelvic area to allow the body to adjust itself, since muscle tension at the
pelvis affects the neck.
Logan Basic Technique:
A gentle, sustained pressure is exerted at the base of the spine. Correcting the
sacrum corrects the rest of the spine.
Nimmo Technique:
Application of simple pressure to tender areas to release muscles from localized
spasm.
Orthotics:
Custom-made devices placed in the shoes to treat posture problems, such as
uneven leg length, spinal curvature and tilted pelvises.
Motion Palpitation:
Joints felt as they are moved to determine fixations.
Upper Cervical Technique
Originating with the famous "toggle recoil", the technique
concentrates on correction of a singular vertebra, the atlas, and
sometimes the axis.
Myofascial Technique
An advancement of the original work in Trigger Points, where the technique is
extended so that spinal and other Trigger Points on the body are located while
the patient is led through a range of motion, rather than while static.
In general, an adjustment consists of a sudden, short, controlled thrust against
a joint. The chiropractor will move the affected joint to the limit of its range
of movement and then make a rapid thrust beyond this point to stretch the joint
capsule and surrounding tissues.
While undergoing adjustment, it is important that the patient remain relaxed for
this to be effective. A certain speed of the thrust is employed to ensure that
the patient's muscles have no time to contract and so restrict the movement.
Cracking or popping sound may be heard during the thrust: this is caused by
gases in the synovial fluid (the lubricating fluid inside each joint capsule)
and is harmless.
Most chiropractors will treat only a joint that they believe is misaligned or
subluxated. Some, however, may treat the whole spine or concentrate only on one
area. It is important to remember that all manipulations involve a degree of risk,
however small. So undergo adjustments only when necessary and then by
experienced practitioners. If an adjustment is contraindicated for any reason, such as the possibility that
it might cause the patient excessive pain or anxiety, a joint can be stretched
by placing a roll or wedge in the correct position beneath the spine when the
patient is lying down. However, doing this takes time, and the results are not
achieved as quickly as those brought about by manipulation. Chiropractors also
use a number of soft-tissue techniques (such as massage, heat, ice, and
kneading) to relax a patient's muscles before a manipulation, to release trigger
points (painful knots of muscle fibers), and to lengthen tendons and muscles.
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