Chiropractic techniques aim to diagnose and treat neuromuscular issues. They mainly use manual spinal adjustments and manipulation.
Chiropractic treatments reduce pain and enhance body function. It may include manipulation, which involves quick movements at the edge of a joint’s range, or mobilization, which works within that range.
Chiropractors might suggest other options, like regular exercise, to address the root issue.
There are various chiropractic techniques. This article highlights twelve of them and explains how they work and benefit your body.
Diversified Technique
The diversified technique has three main goals: to restore spinal alignment, fix joint dysfunction, and promote proper movement. Practitioners use precise hands-on thrusts to realign the spine and improve a patient’s range of motion, which can be limited by misaligned joints or bones. This technique is popular, with 96% of chiropractors using it on about 70% of their patients.
Articulatory Technique
This chiropractic adjustment is used for therapy and involves moderate to high force with low speed. It helps restore a joint that isn’t functioning properly by moving it through its full range of motion. The chiropractor works with the joint’s restrictions several times. This adjustment is commonly used to:
- Improve joint range of motion
- Reduce pain
Activator Method
Chiropractors often use a tool called an “Activator Adjusting Instrument” to deliver a gentle impulse to the limbs or spinal segments. This spring-loaded device helps adjust the nervous system and can treat various conditions such as headaches and lower back pain.
The activator delivers quick and gentle impulses, which helps keep muscles relaxed during adjustments. This reduces muscle tension and resistance. Because this adjustment method is very targeted, it avoids putting joints in risky positions like bending or twisting.
Many patients who need gentler adjustments, such as pregnant women and those with osteoporosis or arthritis, can benefit from activator treatments.
Myofascial Release
This chiropractic adjustment uses manual techniques to relieve tension in the body’s fascia. It is especially helpful in sports medicine. The chiropractor applies steady pressure with their hands to ease stiffness and pain. This technique offers many benefits. It can help with the fascia, muscles, joints, bones, tendons, cartilage, blood, skin, ligaments, and soft tissues.
Flexion distraction
The Flexion Distraction method uses a special table that gently flexes and distracts the spine in a rhythmic motion. It is often used to treat disc injuries that cause back and leg pain. This adjustment is pain-free and comfortable. Flexion distraction is a good choice for patients with recent injuries or sensitivity to other treatments.
Gonstead Adjustment
The Gonstead Adjustment restores proper disc alignment and improves mobility. It can be done with the patient sitting up or lying on their side.
A key feature of this adjustment is the precise contact point on the chiropractor’s, which allows for targeted manipulation of the lower back or pelvis.
Muscle Energy Technique
This chiropractic adjustment uses targeted and controlled contractions to reduce back pain and improve muscle function. The muscle energy technique helps stretch the muscles. It is especially effective for patients with acute somatic dysfunction, like whiplash from a car accident.
TENS Therapy
TENS therapy is commonly used in chiropractic care and physical therapy to relieve pain from various conditions. This treatment involves a small device with electrodes that send low-voltage electrical impulses.
During the session, your chiropractor places electrodes on your skin at specific points, such as trigger points or near nerves. The electrical impulses stimulate the nerves to help block pain signals from reaching the brain. TENS may also change how you feel pain by increasing the production of endorphins – body’s natural pain relievers.
Thompson Technique
This technique uses a special table with padded platforms that have drop mechanisms. This allows the patient to be gently “dropped” a small distance while the practitioner applies a quick thrust for the adjustment. The gentle drop feels comfortable, similar to a light vibration.
Spinal Manipulation
Spinal mobilization, also known as manual therapy or spinal manipulation, is used by chiropractors and physical therapists. Its purpose is to relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function. Though a manual therapy technique like the diversified technique, spinal mobilization uses gentler thrusts and includes more stretching.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is more of a technique than a traditional adjustment, but it is very effective for lower back pain caused by bulging, herniated, degenerated, or slipped discs. This method uses a special table to stretch the spine gently. This helps promote the flow of water, oxygen, and other important fluids into the discs and throughout the spine.
Read more on : Pros and Cons of Spinal Decompression Therapy.
Webster Technique
This gentle prenatal chiropractic technique reduces stress on a pregnant woman’s body while keeping her pelvis balanced. It also helps to manage pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy.
The chiropractor first checks the alignment of the sacrum in the pelvis to find any imbalances. Then, through gentle manual manipulation, the chiropractor guides the sacrum back into place. This helps relieve pressure and tension in the lower back and hips.
With regular treatments, Webster technique can help women feel more comfortable during pregnancy and may also make childbirth easier. A 2020 study on the Webster Technique showed an 82% success rate in resolving breech presentation in the eighth month of pregnancy.
What chiropractic technique is best?
A 2023 review shows that there are over 130 different chiropractic techniques. The benefits, effectiveness, and risks of these techniques can vary. Factors include a person’s condition, age, overall health, and the chiropractor’s skill and experience.
There is no single best chiropractic technique for everyone. However, the diversified technique is the most commonly used.
Since chiropractic techniques improve joint function and movement, the best method is often the one that works best for the individual. Chiropractors will customize their treatment to fit each person’s needs.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of each chiropractic technique can depend on the specific issue being treated and the overall health of the person receiving care.
A 2021 review suggests that spinal manipulation may work as well as other treatments, like physical therapy, for chronic, nonspecific spinal pain.
However, more research is needed to confirm this treatment’s effectiveness and to identify who may benefit the most from spinal manipulation techniques.
Risks
A 2017 review notes that serious risks from chiropractic care are rare. However, common side effects can include:
- Increased pain or discomfort
- Stiffness
- Headaches
People may also feel tired, dizzy, or experience other symptoms. The review suggests that some underlying conditions can raise the risk of side effects.
Certain techniques may have higher risks for individuals with specific conditions. For example, high-velocity, low-amplitude adjustments may not be safe for those with severe osteoporosis or certain types of arthritis.
The benefits of Chiropractic Adjustment
Chiropractic adjustment offers many benefits. You can experience relief from various issues, including back and neck pain, arm and wrist pain, sleep disorders, arthritis, stress, sciatica, fibromyalgia, and bursitis. Here are some benefits of chiropractic adjustments:
- Pain relief
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Better mood regulation
- Improved athletic performance
- Improved joint function and mobility
- Overall health and wellness boost
- Better sleep and increased energy
- Improved body system functions
- Reduced inflammation and tension
- Increased cognitive abilities
- Lower risk of joint degeneration and illness
FAQs
Which chiropractic technique is best?
The Diversified Technique is one of the most commonly used manual adjustment methods today. It realigns spinal joints that have shifted slightly out of their optimal positions over time.
How many chiropractic techniques are there?
There are over 200 chiropractic techniques, most of which are variations of spinal manipulation. Many of these techniques overlap and involve slight adjustments to each other.
What is the new technique of chiropractic?
Torque Release Technique (TRT) helps the body heal without physically manipulating the joints. It is a neurological treatment that gently corrects subluxations or spinal misalignments in a non-invasive way.
