Have you ever given any thought to the procedures that your chiropractor performs? The chiropractic method of treatment is a comprehensive method of healthcare that focuses on enhancing the body's natural functions by performing manual manipulations of the spine and other joints. Chiropractic therapy is also known as vertebral subluxation complex.
Although every chiropractor has a one-of-a-kind approach, there are a few procedures that are consistently used across the profession. The following are the top five chiropractic care techniques that your practitioner may perform on you during your appointment:
- Spinal Manipulation/Mobilization – This technique involves applying specific force and pressure to certain vertebrae in order to realign them and reduce pain in the back or neck area. When most people think of chiropractic care, the technique that immediately comes to their mind is called spinal mobilization. Spinal mobilization is a form of manual treatment that can assist in the release of pressure that has been building up in the joints. This treatment helps to improve nerve function in addition to reducing inflammation, which is the underlying cause of pain and dysfunction in the body. Spinal mobilization is characterized by movements that combine moderate stretching with pushing.
- Soft Tissue Therapy - To improve the range of motion and alleviate discomfort, soft tissue treatment is utilized to release tension in tissues around the spine, such as muscles, fascia, and ligaments. This helps the patient move more freely. Kneading, rubbing, and other manual therapies, such as those used in this chiropractic approach, are used to break down connective tissues in the body.
- Activator Method - The activator method is a moderate kind of spine manipulation that employs the use of portable equipment known as an "activator adjusting instrument" to apply controlled force directly to individual vertebrae. The activator method was developed by Dr. John F. Barnes in the 1960s. Those who are more sensitive to more forceful manipulation techniques can benefit enormously from utilizing this low-force technique.
- Extremity Adjustments - In addition to focusing on the spine, some chiropractors may use extremity adjustments for conditions such as shoulder and knee pain, tennis elbow, or carpal tunnel syndrome, among others. These adjustments involve various types of manipulations depending on the condition being treated. For instance, if a patient has shoulder pain due to rotator cuff inflammation, the chiropractor may use joint mobilization techniques or soft tissue massage.
- Orthotics - Orthotics is a process used to restore normal foot biomechanics and improve posture by taking custom-made molded casts of your feet and making special inserts that are designed specifically for you. These orthotic devices can help reduce stress on certain areas of the body, allowing for improved alignment and reduced discomfort caused by misaligned joints or muscles in other parts of the body.
Several Adjustments Used in Chiropractic Care
When patients learn that chiropractors can provide them with a variety of treatments to target their unique pain points, they express excitement about the prospect of receiving chiropractic care. The chiropractic adjustment is the most recognizable feature of this medical specialty, even though chiropractic care can address a wide range of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system as a whole.
What are the benefits of getting chiropractic adjustments? Spinal misalignments are a common cause of dysfunction, which can result in symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Misalignments have a good chance of going undiagnosed, even though the "blinking lights" that appear in the form of pain and disease are readily apparent.
The normal flow of oxygenated blood, which "nourishes" your tissue, will be blocked if you continue to live with a misalignment, which is the major drawback of continuing to do so. This can result in inflammation, which can eventually lead to pain, reduce movement, and weaken the immune system. When there is a misalignment in the body, the blood flow that provides the tissues with their vitality is restricted, which prevents the body from being able to activate its inherent healing potential.
How Do I Know If I Have a Spinal Misalignment?
It is essential to have a working knowledge of the signs of a misaligned spine. Because so many individuals are unaware of how common spinal misalignments are, they frequently throw away both their time and their resources trying to cure the wrong problem. The following are common indications that your body is out of alignment:
- Pain or tenderness in the spine, neck, or back
- Stiffness or limited range of motion
- Headaches and migraines
- Numbness in arms and legs
- Fatigue or poor sleeping habits
- Digestive problems such as indigestion and acid reflux
Additional Chiropractic Techniques
The Drop Technique/Thompson Technique
During this procedure, a chiropractor will apply to push pressure to the patient's spine or extremities while using a customized table that will gradually lower itself in very small and precisely regulated increments. Even though they are quite modest, these drops are useful in assisting in the completion of a full spinal adjustment. The descending motion that is included in this procedure provides patients with an exceptional level of comfort. The majority of people describe it as feeling like a slight vibration.
The Gonstead Adjustment
This treatment focuses on restoring the normal alignment of the discs in the patient's spine. Patients have the option of either sitting or lying on their side while undergoing this treatment, which is one of its many advantages of it. Because of this, it is a diverse choice that may be made for patients whose mobility capacities differ. In addition, the Gonstead adjustment offers the chiropractor a high degree of control over the adjustment process.
Logan Basic Technique
This method entails exerting pressure on a certain place on the sacrum to get the desired effect. A chiropractor will apply pressure to the base of the spine while twisting the back muscles to release tension as part of the treatment process. In the long run, this assists in slowly bringing the spine back into its proper alignment. Those who are suffering from extreme bodily stress that is creating headaches are good candidates for this particular method since it is the best choice for balancing the spine as a whole. Also, this method is regarded as an excellent "stress buster" strategy.
Finding a Professional Chiropractor Offering Many Techniques
In the heart of Dubuque, Iowa, you'll find Fullness Of Life Chiropractic, where you may receive chiropractic care from a well-regarded team of professionals.
To address musculoskeletal dysfunction, there are many various methods and treatments available, and we guide our patients through the process of evaluating all of their options. We offer a wide variety of specialized, cutting-edge adjustments as well as holistic therapies that are aimed to reduce tension, discomfort, soreness, stiffness, and inflammation.
These treatments are in addition to the procedures that have been stated above. Alterations to your lifestyle, specific workouts, stretches, as well as a variety of other factors, can all contribute to excellent musculoskeletal health, and we can help you identify these elements. Make an appointment at once by contacting Fullness of Life Chiropractic right away!
