There are as many chiropractic techniques and tools as there are chiropractors out there. While there are the “standard” techniques that are taught in chiropractic colleges, every doctor of chiropractic out there tends to personalize their regular treatment based on their body type, what has worked for them in the past, the procedures with which they’ve had the most success (both in patient comfort and results), and those that make the most sense for the goals they’re trying to achieve.
If you were to pick up a chiropractic magazine, there are still new chiropractic techniques and tools becoming more available each year.
A doctor will make a tweak to an existing model or think “why hasn’t someone done this?” and then create the tool for themselves. Once they see results, they will often teach others to utilize their new technique.
Which Adjusting Techniques Are Used At CORE?
While our doctors have attended different chiropractic colleges, we are all pretty traditional when it comes to our adjusting techniques. The primary technique taught by the colleges is called Diversified. In this technique, it’s common to hear “pops” and “cracks” during the adjustment.
The technique teaches multiple ways to adjust each area of the spine. The doctors have all chosen methods that they find comfortable and that get the best results for the patient.
In addition, we do some of our x-ray analysis and spinal analysis utilizing a technique called Gonstead. However, we would not be considered Gonstead practitioners.
We also utilize a “drop table.” This adjusting technique uses a special table where pieces of the table lift up approximately one inch and then the doctor will push down on the area that needs to be adjusted while the table piece “drops” back into place.
Using this technique does not usually lead to the normal popping and cracking patients come to expect from their chiropractic adjustments. There are some spinal conditions where twisting of the back is not recommended. Pregnant patients also appreciate how our tables allow for their “belly” to fit comfortably while the drop table eliminates their need to move around too much or get twisted.
Lastly, we may use the Activator instrument when adjusting your spine. This is a technique that was taught to the doctors in chiropractic college, but not a technique for which they follow all of the protocols. True Activator practitioners follow a set protocol when adjusting their patients, while our office uses the tool as an extension of our regular adjustment protocol.
We will still locate areas of the spine that are out of alignment by feeling the spine, but when the situation calls for it, we will use the instrument rather than our hands to deliver the adjustment. Some patients request this tool based on experiencing it with other chiropractors, while others prefer how gentle it is instead of the regular chiropractic adjustment.
All chiropractic techniques and tools used in our office are determined by which is best for the patient. We want you to get the best results possible, but we also want you to be comfortable with your care plan and the adjustment styles and therapies involved.