An
Explanation of Chiropractic Techniques "in Layman's Terms"
"My
Chiropractor uses an Activator - can you explain what that means?"
— Chiropractors use a myriad of techniques often named after the
college they attended or a person that developed the particular method
of adjusting your body. Below we have attempted to compile a brief
description of common chiropractic techniques widely used in the
profession. "Chiropractic techniques" are not to be confused
with "diagnostic modalities", which are methods used to
analyze your symptoms and diagnose what care or treatment is needed.
Some chiropractors utilize other healing techniques such as Nutrition,
Massage Therapies and Acupuncture. These therapies are not
"chiropractic" but may be used by a chiropractor in treating a
patient.
ACTIVATOR The chiropractor uses an
instrument called an Activator to make your adjustment. It
is a small had held impact tool in which a quick snap is applied
to correct a vertebral mis-alignment according to a set pattern. www.activator.com
CHIROPRACTIC
BIOPHYSICS
a.k.a. Clinical Biomechanics of Posture (C.B.P.) A highly specific method
of x-ray analyses and full spine postural based system which
utilizes "mirror image" instrument adjusting, drop table
adjusting, and manual adjusting along with very specific postural
based exercise and traction in order to restore the spinal column
and posture back towards normal. For more info: www.idealspine.com
COX A technique that uses traction for
low back and disc problems.
DIVERSIFIED The most common non-specific
technique used by most general practice chiropractors. It is
a technique which may utilize more than one method but will
involve spinal adjustment.
FULL SPINE Similar to diversified; refers to
cervical, thoracic, and low back adjusting techniques, as opposed
to specializing in just the neck for example. It refers to
non-specific adjustment of the entire spine.
GONSTEAD A
more specific method for full spine adjusting utilizing the use of
full spine x-rays to locate spinal mis-alignments.
GROSTIC A very specific method of x-ray
analyses and adjustment of the upper cervical (neck) spine only. Similar to HIO, adjustment is
based on the release of pressure on C1 & C2.
HIO
-- hole in one An antiquated term used years ago
to describe the specific adjustment of the upper cervical (neck)
only. Similar to toggle recoil.
IMPULSE The impulse is an electronic
adjusting instrument specifically tuned to the best frequencies
for safe and effective spinal corrections. More: www.neuromechanical.com
KALE A specific technique for the
adjustment of the Upper Cervical (neck) spine.
LIFE CERVICAL A specific technique taught at
Life Chiropractic College for the upper cervical spine.
LOGAN BASIC A non-force technique taught by
Logan Chiropractic College, which utilizes a soft steady pressure
on ligaments around the tail bone for release of tension and
vertebral mis-alignments in the lower back.
LOW FORCE A non discript term used to
discribe any of a number of low force techniques.
MOTION ANALYSIS (PALPATION) An examination procedure used to
test the mobility of spinal joints by feeling for movement between
the vertebra.
NIMMO A technique used to cause
relaxation of the muscles by applying deep pressure into certain
joints and muscles along the spine and into the musculo skeletal
system. It is similar to trigger-point therapy.
NON-FORCE A non-discript term which may be
used in many ways but usually involves techiques other than
chiropractic.
NUCCA
- NATIONAL UPPER CERVICAL CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION An association of
doctors who specialize in upper neck adjusting. This involves any
of a number of chiropractic techniques which specialize in
specific upper cervical adjusting procedures.
PALMER or PALMER
PACKAGE Adjusting procedures taught
through one of the Palmer Chiropractic Colleges; includes
diversified, gonstead, toggle recoil, and others.
PETTIBON Probably the first instrument
technique established for the adjustment of the upper cervical
spine. It utilizes specific X-Ray analyses and very specific
instrument alignment and adjustment.
PIERCE -
PIERCE - STILLWAGON A technique very similar to the
Thompson technique utilizing the Thompson Adjusting table but also
using X-Ray and Thermographic (Infra-red computerized temperature)
analysis.
SIDE POSTURE A special adjusting table
technique for specific adjustment of the upper cervical spine. Position of patient is on their
right or left side; many techniques use this position to make an
adjustment.
SOFT TISSUE Any of a number of massage type
techniques which would involve work on the muscles and ligaments
as opposed to the boney articulations of the body.
STRAIGHT This will involve any of a number
of specific adjusting techniques with the addition of a philosophy
which emphasizes the role of the Innate Intelligence of the
body in the healing process. It will not utilize any therapy
other than hand adjustment.
THOMPSON A specific technique for
adjustment of the full spine on a special table which has a slight
drop in the cushions to improve the effectiveness of the
adjustment without as much force into the patient.
TOFTNESS A technique which utilizes a
special instrument for analysis of the spine by measuring
electrical impulses on the nerves. Adjustments are specific
on those areas where short circuit is found on the nerves.
TOGGLE RECOIL A specific technique for the
adjustment of the upper cervical spine. This term has replaced the
term HIO. This technique usually utilizes a side posture
table with a cervical head piece which makes a slight drop when
the adjustment is given.
TRIGGER POINT THERAPY This is a muscle technique which
utilizes deep pressure at certain locations in the musculo sketal
system where nodules or spasms have developed; this
technique will cause relaxation of the muscle.
UPPER CERVICAL Any of a number of techniques for
the specific adjustment of the upper cervical spine (the upper
part of the neck, closest to the brain).
