Do you have an upcoming appointment with a chiropractor? Are you unsure about what to expect?
Visiting a chiropractor comes with many benefits. Chiropractors can help you recover faster from your injuries, improve your sleep, reduce your digestive problems, and improve your balance, just to name a few!
Chiropractors help you improve your overall well-being by implementing various chiropractic techniques. Before you go to your appointment, it can be helpful to familiarise yourself with some of these techniques.
Read on to learn about the different chiropractic techniques your chiropractor may use.
Spinal Adjustment/Manipulation
This is the most readily available and basic method that chiropractors use. Spinal manipulation involves a quick and controlled thrust and adjustment.
Once your chiropractor has completed the spinal adjustment, your overall alignment will be enhanced along your joints. The goal of spinal manipulation is to allow each joint to return to its natural range of motion.
Oftentimes, you’ll hear a popping sound during this treatment, which is both expected and normal. There are several different forms of spinal manipulation. These include the:
Diversified Technique
This technique is done manually, and typically, your chiropractor will use their body weight as assistance.
The diversified technique can help improve your lower back, upper back, and neck, as well as the joints in your arms and legs.
Gonstead Technique
With the Gonstead technique, your chiropractor will apply the same quickness and force as a typical spinal adjustment. However, this technique targets a specific joint, and the treatment often calls for special positioning.
Chiropractors who use this technique typically have certain chairs and tables that allow the method to work properly.
Thompson Terminal Point Technique
For this technique, your chiropractor will use a particular table and apply controlled force. The slight dropping of the table will aid in the joint’s movements, therefore helping the treatment process.
Spinal Mobilization
Spinal mobilization is similar to a spinal adjustment. However, the thrust the chiropractor uses is gentler.
The goal of this technique is the same as with spinal manipulation- to enhance and restore joint movement and realign the body. Instead of controlled, quick thrusts, spinal mobilization involves slower movements to mobilize your joints.
Your chiropractor may choose to use spinal mobilization if the patient’s nervous system is particularly sensitive, if the patient is significantly overweight, or if the patient is in severe pain.
The two main types of spinal mobilization techniques include:
Cox Flexion-Distraction
This type of chiropractic technique is gentle, yet very effective. For this technique, your chiropractor will lower half of the table, enabling a safe stretch of the lower back.
Toggle Drop
The toggle drop is similar to the Thompson terminal point technique. With this technique, your chiropractor can target a specific joint, as well as sections of the spine.
Spinal Decompression
The goal of spinal decompression is to relax and stretch the lumbar spine.
For this technique, patients lie on a traction table that allows the spine to stretch and bend. Spinal decompression is especially useful for patients who are suffering from slipped and herniated discs. It can also be used for patients who are experiencing leg pain.
Traction
Traction is a form of spinal decompression that can either be performed manually or with the help of an instrument. This technique helps stretch the spine, back, and joints to relieve tension and enhance movement.
There are three common ways for the traction technique to be conducted. These include:
- Manually: With this type of traction, a chiropractor either uses a pulley system or their hands to stretch out the spine
- Mechanically: With this technique, your chiropractor will use mechanical pulleys and inversion tables to stretch the spine
- Wedge: With the help of a wedge, your chiropractor will be able to apply traction to your lower spine
Instrument-Assisted Techniques
While the above techniques all involve manual manipulation, the following are all instrument-assisted. These techniques include:
The Activator Method
This technique involves a patient lying face down on a table so your patient can locate and treat back pain, neck pain, and even headaches.
With the activator method, a chiropractor uses a small, handheld instrument to deliver a pulsing force into the spine. The pulsing is so quick that the target muscle doesn’t have time to tense up. Additionally, since the motion is handheld, there’s no need for the patient to bend their body uncomfortably.
The activator method is especially helpful for patients with severe pain as well as older individuals.
Graston Technique
The Graston technique is another instrument-assisted technique. This method involves gently scraping at and massaging the skin to mobilize soft tissue in your body and break up scar tissue.
The Graston technique involves the use of a steel, rounded instrument. The round edge of the instrument is massaged and rubbed over the affected area.
Sacro-Occipital Technique
The Sacro-Occipital technique is used for realigning the pelvis. With this technique, your chiropractor will place a wedge under your pelvis and then apply low force pressure.
Chiropractic Therapy Techniques
Besides instrument-assisted and manual methods, chiropractors have additional ways to reduce tension, alleviate pain, increase mobility, and speed up the recovery process.
These include:
- Heat/ice therapy
- Ultrasounds
- Electrical muscle stimulation
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators
- Diathermy
- Hydrotherapy
Additionally, your chiropractor may give you nutritional and exercise recommendations to further enhance your therapy.
Chiropractic Techniques: Now You Know
Now that you know about these top chiropractic techniques, you should have a better idea of what’s going on during your next appointment.
If you’re still on the hunt for a chiropractor in Singapore, be sure to check out this guide to learn how to find the best one.
