Chiropractic Therapy Procedures

Spinal manipulation, which chiropractors call "spinal adjustment" or "chiropractic adjustment", is the most common treatment used in chiropractic care. In the U.S chiropractors perform over 90% of all manipulative treatments.  Spinal manipulation is a passive manual maneuver during which a three-joint complex is taken past the normal physiological range of movement without exceeding the anatomical boundary limit.   The defining factor is a dynamic thrust, a sudden force that causes an audible release and attempts to increase a joint's range of motion.

More generally, spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) describes techniques where the hands are used to manipulate, massage, mobilize, adjust, stimulate, apply traction to, or otherwise influence the spine and related tissues. The medicinal use of spinal manipulation can be traced back over 3000 years to ancient Chinese writings. Hippocrates, the "father of medicine" used manipulative techniques, as did the ancient Egyptians and many other cultures. A modern re-emphasis on manipulative therapy occurred in the late 19th century in North America with the emergence of the osteopathic medicine and chiropractic medicine.

There are several schools of chiropractic adjustive techniques, although most chiropractors mix techniques from several schools. The following are some of the adjustive procedures:

• Diversified technique (DT) is the most commonly used manipulative technique by chiropractors. Like many chiropractic and osteopathic manipulative techniques, Diversified is characterized by a high velocity low amplitude thrust. Diversified is considered the most generic chiropractic manipulative technique and is differentiated from other techniques in that its objective is to restore proper movement and alignment of spine and joint dysfunction.
• Activator technique was created by Arlan Fuhr as an alternative to manual manipulation of the spine or extremity joints. It is categorized as a mechanical force manual assisted (MFMA) instrument, which is generally regarded as a softer chiropractic treatment technique.
• Thompson Technique, Gonstead (which looks at the whole spine with the philosophy that a vertebral misalignment may affect other areas of the spine, emphasizing the mechanical aspects of the spine), Cox/flexion-distraction (a gentle, non-force adjusting procedure which mixes chiropractic principles with osteopathic principles and utilizes specialized adjusting tables with movable parts), adjustive instrument, Sacro-Occipital Technique (which models the spine as a torsion bar).
• Many other procedures are used by chiropractors for treating the spine, other joints and tissues, and general health issues. The following are additional procedures used in chiropractic care; Diversified technique), physical fitness/exercise promotion, corrective or therapeutic exercise, ergonomic/postural advice, self-care strategies, activities of daily living, changing risky/unhealthy behaviors, nutritional/dietary recommendations, relaxation/stress reduction recommendations, ice pack/cryo-therapy, extremity adjusting, trigger point therapy, and disease prevention/early screening advice.

Please consult with your treating medical physician.

Patient Medical makes no claims as to Chiropractic Therapy efficacy. Information within this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This information is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your personal physician or any other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.

Conditions Benefiting From Chiropractic Therapy

Spinal manipulation can relieve some types of back and neck pain and other conditions related to tightness and loss of mobility, such as tension headache or aching in muscles and joints.

Chiropractic Therapy covers the following conditions:

• Prevent Surgery: Many individuals have been able to avoid surgery on their back, neck and spine after having chiropractic treatment.  With spinal decompression being the latest gentle, highly effective non-surgical alternative to surgery, it is certainly worth a looking into.
• Head, Neck, and Back Pain Relief: Chronic back pain is the biggest reason for disability and missed work in this country. Getting relief from this would most certainly improve the quality of a persons' life in many areas. Chiropractic care has helped people suffering from whiplash resulting from automobile accidents. In addition, a visit to the chiropractor has helped individuals with migraine, cluster, or tension headaches find tremendous relief.
• Improved Immune System Function: Immune system function can be improved with chiropractic care and wellness treatment. There will be improved nerve supply to organs related to immunity. Staying well is an important part of a chiropractic physicians' philosophy.
• Breathing and Cardiovascular Success: Receiving treatment from your local chiropractor can help with respiratory function and opening of the lungs. Allergies, asthma, sinusitis, and the common cold have been improved with chiropractic care. Other therapeutic benefits include a greater nerve supply to the heart and to coronary arteries.
• Improved Sense of Well-Being: Chiropractic has shown to help individuals improve their sleep patterns. Studies have also shown that people have a decrease in anxiety, depression, and unhealthy stress response. Other benefits include improved memory and the ability to improve their relaxation.

Please consult with your treating medical physician.

Patient Medical makes no claims as to Chiropractic Therapy efficacy. Information within this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This information is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your personal physician or any other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.

We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, NYC, New York, NY 10017.

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Article Last Updated: 06/26/2009