"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 - 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).