For first-time patients, we often find their nervousness about seeing a chiropractor stems from not knowing what to expect during their adjustment. There are a variety of techniques chiropractors use to help patients, and while the relief offered by practitioners is known to millions, very few individuals know the methods used by chiropractors. Understanding these techniques may help ease your apprehension about getting a chiropractic adjustment and maximize the effectiveness of your appointment.
4 Common Types of Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments use sudden, controlled force to manipulate the spine and improve joint mobility and spinal alignment. People see chiropractors for a variety of reasons, including:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Chronic pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Fatigue
Adjustments most often target the spine and neck; however, other joints can benefit from chiropractic care, including the wrists, knees, ankles, shoulders, and elbows. Depending on the nature of your pain, your chiropractor will choose the best adjustment method for you.
Manual Adjustments
The manual adjustment method is most commonly associated with chiropractic care. As the name implies, chiropractors perform these adjustments with just their hands, delivering a fast, low-amplitude thrust to correct joint alignment. These adjustments are often accompanied by a popping sound, but they shouldn’t be painful—some patients even feel immediate relief.
Activator Adjustments
Activator adjustments are the second most common chiropractic adjustment. During this type of adjustment, chiropractors use a handheld tool called an activator to adjust the patient’s joints. The spring-loaded activator delivers a quick push to the patient’s joints and is often described as a similar sensation to a reflex test. Chiropractors typically use activators when a more controlled, consistent adjustment is required.
Flexion Distraction
Flexion distraction adjustments, also called the Cox Technic, are performed on a segmented table that allows the patient’s body to move in various ways, including stretching the spine and moving the body up and down. In conjunction with the table, the chiropractor gently manipulates the patient’s joints to help them find relief.
Flexion distraction adjustments can be especially helpful for those suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis. A study in The Journal of Physical Therapy Science found patients with the condition who received flexion distraction adjustments found greater symptom relief than those who did not.
Drop Table Adjustment
The drop table technique, sometimes called the Thompson technique, also utilizes a segmented table similar to the one used during flexion distraction. Before the patient’s adjustment, the chiropractor raises the table segments by 1–2 inches. They then perform a manual adjustment, and the table simultaneously “drops,” allowing gravity to assist in the realignment of the joint.
The drop table technique is often used for patients who require a gentler adjustment. It also does not require any twisting motion, making it ideal for patients with spine mobility issues.
Acupuncture
While acupuncture is not technically a chiropractic technique, it’s often used in conjunction with chiropractic care to help relieve patients’ pain. Derived from traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is used alone or in combination with other techniques to treat a number of conditions, including:
- Headaches
- Menstrual cramps
- Tennis elbow
- Osteoarthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Myofascial pain
- Stress
During an acupuncture session, tiny, thin needles are inserted at specific points in the body, called “acupoints.” In traditional Chinese medicine, stimulating these acupoints is believed to correct the body’s Qi, or life energy. Alternatively, some Western practitioners believe acupoints stimulate the central nervous system and kickstart patients’ natural healing ability.
Chiropractic Care and Acupuncture with Crossroads Chiropractic
At Crossroads Chiropractic, we use a combination of chiropractic techniques and acupuncture to help our patients find relief. Not only will you receive the most holistic approach for your symptoms, but you’ll receive it with friendly, hometown service from practitioners who care about your well-being. Visit our website to schedule an appointment, or learn more about chiropractic care and acupuncture on our blog.
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