Chiropractic Techniques

The Gonstead Technique

This technique is named after Clarence S. Gonstead, one of the first pioneers into the chiropractic field, and involves the correction of subluxations. A subluxation is the name for a spinal bone that is “stuck” or fixated in a certain spot, causing nerve pressure and hindering the body’s ability to stay healthy. The Gonstead technique avoids twisting or rotating the spine during chiropractic treatment because it can increase the rate of degeneration in the spinal cushion pad (disc) between the bones in the spine. A hallmark adjustment method that is typical of the Gonstead technique is the adjustment of a patient’s neck while they are seated, to avoid any twisting of the spine.

The Palmer Method

The goal of this technique is the manipulation of the atlas, the first vertebra, located at the top of the spine. The belief behind this method is that a misalignment of the atlas causes problems further down the spinal column, and that, once the atlas is properly aligned, the rest of the vertebra will fall naturally into place. The Palmer method stimulates the spine via a “hole in one” method that consists of using X-rays to locate the atlas’ exact position, and then systematically manipulating the atlas in various directions until its proper place is found.

The Thompson Technique & Table

The Thompson table is a specialized table that allows the chiropractor to utilize the Thompson technique to adjust the patient’s spine by high-speed thrusts. In the human body, the reticular system in the brain controls the balance of a person’s musculature throughout the body. A neurological imbalance disturbs this system, and can affect the musculature in the legs, resulting in one leg appearing shorter than the other when a person is lying face down. The difference in leg length is due to the overstimulation of various muscles, and is treated by placing the patient on a Thompson table. The Thompson table is pneumatically (air) driven, and has a segmented drop system that gently lowers the spinal area that corresponds with area affected (dorsal, lumber, or pelvic area), allowing the chiropractor to thrust at a high speed and carry your joint through its full range of motion.

The Flexion – Distraction Technique

The flexion–distraction technique is also facilitated by a specialized table that gently distracts (stretches) the spine, allowing the chiropractor to locate and treat the affected area by flexing the spine in a kind of pumping rhythm. The flexion-distraction technique, combined with the gentle pumping of the spine, allows the spinal discs to return to their central position in the spine and away from the nerves, decreasing the pressure on the nerves.

Spinal Decompression Technique

Though not technically a chiropractic technique, spinal decompression is used by Natural Way’s practitioners to treat a variety of spinal disc-related injuries. Common issues like bulging discs, herniated discs, pinched nerves, sciatica, degenerative discs, and pain in the arms and legs can all be caused when your spine begins to exert pressure upon your spinal discs. This pressure arises when the discs become misaligned because of poor body mechanics, bad posture, or injury. When using the decompression technique, the practitioner will strap the patient to the table, after which the decompression table is used to gently stretch the patient’s spine, elongating the spine and allowing the resulting vacuum’s pressure to move the compressed disc to move into the resulting space between the spinal discs. Spinal decompression therapy is very gradual, and it will take several treatments to totally realign your spinal discs.

Activator Method Chiropractic Technique (AMCT)

An activator is a small handheld device that delivers a small impulse of 0.3 J of kinetic energy to the spine for a duration of about 3 milliseconds. The purpose of an activator is to apply just enough force to gently move the vertebrae without causing injury. The AMCT consists of having the patient lay prone (face down) and comparing the functional leg lengths. If one appears shorter than the other (called short leg), the chiropractor will have the patient move various limbs to stimulate the muscles attached to each vertebrae until they find the affected vertebra. The vertebra is then treated with the activator and gently moved back into place.

Motion Palpation

This term refers to a technique that was developed by Henri Gillet, and involves the practitioner using their hands to feel the motion of various segments of the spine while the patient performs various movements. This technique assesses extra-vertebral joint and vertebrae movement in order to diagnose any dysfunction between the joints or vertebrae.