You might have assumed that chiropractic care is all about the spine, misalignments, and musculoskeletal pain. But chiropractic is a vast subject, and it has different techniques that expert chiropractors use depending on various health needs. Generally, pain relief and pain prevention are the most common reason people seek chiropractic care or treatment. Each patient has their own condition to be aware of… For instance, if a person is suffering from acute pain or if someone is pregnant, they need a different chiropractic treatment as compared to someone who is suffering from lower back issues.
Your professional chiropractor will determine the specific chiropractic treatment only after an in-depth examination.
Here are some of the most common chiropractic techniques that are embraced by chiropractors to treat patients…
Chiropractic Technique #1- Gonstead Technique
Gonstead is a hands-on technique often involving adjusting the low back or pelvis as the patient lies on his or her side. Chiropractors use this specific technique to realign joints, reduce pain and stiffness, and increase mobility. This is a common adjusting technique that is virtually universal in chiropractic education and is taught to students early in their learning process.
Chiropractic Technique #2 – Activator Technique
The activator chiropractic technique is a handheld adjusting method that delivers a gentle impulse into the vertebral segments of the spine or the extremities. The force applied on specific areas of the body feels like a light thumping sensation when used to treat everything from low back pain to certain types of headaches, including migraines. Expert chiropractors claim that this is very comfortable for the patient and an excellent choice for seniors.
Chiropractic Technique #3 – Flexion-Distraction
Flexion-Distraction is a chiropractic technique generally used to treat many conditions of the lumbar spine such as lumbar disc injuries, low back pain, sciatica, arthritis, sprain & strain, and scoliosis. Basically, flexion-distraction is a non-surgical technique aimed at increasing spinal motion and resolving disc bulges and disc herniations. This treatment is a safe, gentle, non-force procedure and works well to take the pressure off the spinal nerves that may be injured or dysfunctional.
There are several benefits of this chiropractic technique. Flexion-Distraction reduces pressure on the spinal nerves. It increases spinal motion within discs and spinal joints and can reduce the symptoms of sciatica. It’s a conservative option to surgery for those with herniated discs.
Chiropractic Technique #4 – Soft Tissue Therapy
Chiropractic soft tissue therapy is a complex soft tissue massage that directly focuses on affected muscles. With the help of soft tissue therapy, chiropractors force the body to release toxins and aim to improve blood flow and circulation.
Soft tissue therapy is basically the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue/fascia, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Soft tissue therapy also helps in alleviating the soft tissue discomfort associated with routine occupational stresses, muscular overuse, and many chronic pain conditions.
The benefits of soft tissue techniques are well documented and play an important role for anyone involved in strenuous activity, whether through sports, their occupation, or otherwise.
Regular soft tissue massage has the following effects on the body:
- Increased mobility and flexibility of muscle tissue
- Increased feeling of well-being
- Relief from tension and stress
- Correction of muscular imbalances
- Decreased risk of injury
Chiropractic Technique #5 – Thompson Technique
The Thompson Technique is a chiropractic therapy that uses a drop table to help chiropractors provide high velocity, low amplitude, and low force adjustments. This offers patients a less forceful adjustment while also reducing wear and tear on the doctor’s body because the manipulation is assisted by the dropping device. The Chiropractic Thompson Technique is mainly used for pregnancy care, pediatric wellness, chronic back pain, and inward neck curvature issues.
Chiropractic Technique #6 – Diversified Technique
Diversified chiropractic therapy is often referred to as the most popular adjustment among chiropractors. The diversified chiropractic technique is used by chiropractors when the patient is looking for instant relief from neck and back pain. It is the best technique that is recommended by chiropractors to adjust a lumbar disc herniation that causes a majority of back and neck pain problems. This technique involves very precise hands-on thrusts aimed at restoring proper movement and alignment to the spine.
Summary
Have you ever wondered exactly what your chiropractor is doing? When seeking treatment from a chiropractor, it’s essential that you understand the various techniques and what they seek to accomplish. On your journey to health and wellness, finding relief without pharmaceuticals or surgery is important to you, and this is where chiropractic care really shines. There are many chiropractic methods to treat each individual, and the aforementioned are some of the most commonly seen in the field.
Contact us at Thrive Health Center for an appointment today.
