Chiropractic care involves a range of treatment methods. Spinal adjustments align the spine, helping to minimize pain, relieve pressure off your joints, and reduce inflammation in the body. Every patient’s chiropractic treatment plan is different, so one patient’s plan might include one type of treatment while another patient’s plan might include a combination of different treatments. A chiropractor like one from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic is knowledgeable in several different techniques to perform adjustments. The techniques they use vary depending on each patient’s needs.
What is Spinal Manipulation?
One of the most well-known types of chiropractic treatments is spinal manipulation, also known as spinal manual therapy. This is what people often think of when they think of a chiropractor. A common misconception is that spinal manipulation is painful. When a chiropractor does an adjustment, the cracking sounds heard are simply gas bubbles popping in the joints. A highly skilled and experienced chiropractor can help you feel comfortable and relaxed so that the adjustment can be done safely and painlessly. Here are a few of the most common types of techniques that chiropractors use when treating patients.
Diversified Technique
The diversified technique is a hands-on technique that involves low-amplitude, quick thrusts to the spine to improve the nervous system’s functionality. Through this technique, the patient’s range of motion is improved. It is considered one of the most effective types of chiropractic treatments, and has yielded positive results for patients with different types of ailments.
Gonstead Technique
The Gonstead technique shares similarities with the diversified technique, and can be applied to the spine, arms and legs. It involves a hands-on approach to treating spinal irregularities. This treatment method is common among many chiropractors. It realigns the spine and helps to facilitate movement and increase range of motion.
Thompson Technique (Drop Table)
The Thompson technique is when a patient lies face down on a specially designed table called drop table. When the chiropractic performs the adjustment on the targeted part of the patient’s body, the area is also dropped by the table. This serves to minimize any discomfort that may be caused by the adjustment.
Flexion Distraction
Known as Cox flexion distraction, this technique is gentler than other hands-on techniques. With this technique, the spine heals gradually and naturally. The chiropractor performs less forceful adjustments along the spine through stretches, improving alignment and resulting in a greater range of motion.
There are a range of techniques that chiropractic is skilled in. Learn more about the benefits of chiropractic care by scheduling an appointment.
