People often seek chiropractic care and treatment to deal with chronic pain throughout their bodies. Though many people think there’s one type of chiropractic method, there are, in fact, many types of chiropractic adjustments that can align your spine, reduce pain, and restore flexibility and function throughout your joints.
8 Types of Chiropractic Adjustments and What They Do
Below are the eight most common types of chiropractic adjustments that might be a part of your chiropractic treatment. To be clear, all of these chiropractic adjustments are a form of spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation is an umbrella term that describes a variety of chiropractic adjustments, treatments, and care.
Many of these adjustments are also manual manipulation, meaning the chiropractor uses their hands to make the chiropractic adjustment. However, some of these adjustments rely on a machine or other equipment to perform the chiropractic adjustment.
1. Activator Method
The activator method is a common type of chiropractic adjustment used for back and neck pain. While it’s a manual adjustment, the activator method uses an Activator device — a spring-loaded, hand-held instrument that delivers a high-speed, localized thrust to a targeted, narrow area.
The advantage of the activator method is that the patient isn’t bent, twisted, or otherwise forced into an awkward position, which can protect the joints.
2. Diversified Technique
The diversified technique is the most common chiropractic technique practitioners use. It improves spinal alignment, restores proper joint function, and increases movement and mobility.
The chiropractor places pressure on your spine using a sudden but controlled force. You’ll likely hear a popping sound during this chiropractic adjustment, which is perfectly normal.
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3. Flexion Distraction Technique
The flexion distraction technique is often considered a comfortable and even pain-free chiropractic technique. It pulls your spinal joints and vertebrae apart, “distracting” them to relieve your pain, and is good for disc injuries with back and leg pain.
Using a special table (a Hill table), you’ll lie face down while the table moves the lower half of your body up and down, hinging at the hips. As your feet lower, your chiropractor may add gentle pressure to your legs to deepen the stretch.
4. Gonstead Technique
The Gonstead technique helps restore disc alignment by adjusting the spine and the pelvis. Unlike other chiropractic techniques, a Gonstead adjustment can be performed while you’re lying on your side or sitting up. It’s a more targeted type of chiropractic care in that the chiropractor focuses the spinal adjustments on the specific area that’s causing problems.
5. Myofascial Release
As the name implies, myofascial release is used to release tension in the fascia, the thin, connective tissue that surrounds your organs, blood, vessels, bones, muscles, and nerves. Also known as trigger point therapy, this specific chiropractic technique relieves tightness and tension throughout the fascia, resulting in pain relief.
The chiropractor applies a slow and sustained pressure to the fascia, generally holding on to it for at least 90 seconds to help it soften and release. As the fascia relaxes, the chiropractor stretches the surrounding tissue. While this sounds like an intense form of massage therapy, myofascial release requires the practitioner to keep a firm grip on your skin through the adjustment.
6. Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is more of a chiropractic technique than a chiropractic adjustment. It’s especially good at alleviating pain in the lower back caused by bulging, degenerated, slipped, and herniated discs due to pinched nerves, sciatica, or spinal stenosis. More importantly, this chiropractic adjustment technique can be an effective non-surgical option to spinal decompression surgery.
It’s similar to the flexion distraction technique in that it uses a special table to stretch and relax your back. Lying face up with your knees bent, you’re harnessed around the hips and torso to keep the upper body still. Then a machine applies gentle, regular pressure to stretch out your vertebrae and encourage spinal realignment.
7. Spinal Mobilization
Spinal mobilization uses passive and gentle movements to relieve pressure and pain in your joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function by targeting a spinal segment or group of spinal segments, instead of the entire spine.
As spinal adjustments go, spinal mobilization uses more stretching than the diversified technique and is generally more gentle.
8. Thompson Drop-Table Technique
The Thompson drop-table technique involves gravity as part of the chiropractic care. Using a special table with padded platforms, the patient “drops” when the chiropractor applies thrust to the affected joint or muscle. The dropping motion allows the practitioner to deliver the adjustment using less force, making the treatment more comfortable.
Most people use the Thompson technique for spinal misalignment issues, like sciatica, herniated discs, and chronic pain.
Find Relief
Chiropractic treatment can restore spinal alignment and musculoskeletal function. However, not all chiropractors use the same techniques, and some methods may not be right for your condition. It’s critical to discuss which types of chiropractic adjustments your chiropractor uses to ensure you receive the care you’re looking for.
The caring, compassionate team at Flourish Chiropractic Spa is trained in a variety of chiropractic techniques and massage therapies. Schedule an appointment today and take the first steps toward a healthier, more pain-free life.
