Chiropractic is a system of diagnosing medical disorders and prescribing treatments grounded on the construct that the nervous system aligns all of the functions of the body, and that disease manifests as a result or lack of normal nerve function. Chiropractic utilizes manipulation and adjustment of body structures, the spinal column being central to most treatments, as is it believed that pressure on nerves following from the spinal cord are the reason for the displacement (vertebral subluxation) of the vertebrae.

Chiropractic Practitioners (Doctors of Chiropractic/Chiropractic Doctors) and some therapists are trained to understand that this misalignment and resulting nerve pressure are the  underlying issue responsible for problems not only in the localized area, but also throughout the body and the cause of much disease. Chiropractic treatment is considered to be effective for muscle spasms of the back and neck, tension headaches, and many other sorts of leg pain. It may or may not be always be of value for other types of medical ailments.

Not all chiropractors are trained alike, nor do they practice diagnosis and treatments in the same manner. The International Chiropractors Association believes that patients should be treated only by spinal manipulation, while the American Chiropractors Association is known to advocate a multi-disciplinary approach to treating patients. This combines the traditional Chiropractic spinal adjustment with other treatment modalities, that may include and combine various aspects of physical therapy, psychological counseling, and dietary planning and diet alterations.

Historically, from the introduction and for many decades the American Medical Association (AMA) had opposed Chiropractic because of what it termed a “rigid adherence to an irrational, unscientific approach to disease.” This all changed when the United States Congress amended the Medicare Act in 1972 to include benefits for Chiropractic Services and in 1978 the AMA modified its position on Chiropractic. To practice as a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) requires a minimum of 2 years of college and completing 4 years training in a recognized School of Chiropractic.

Modern chiropractic was founded by Daniel David Palmer, who performed his first chiropractic adjustment in 1895. The terminology surrounding “chiropractic” is derived from the Greek “chir-” referring to the hand plus “prassein” (to do), therefore, meaning to do with the hands (manipulate) and dates from 1898. This is the same year Palmer established the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa USA.

Unique Aspects of Chiropractic Treatment Techniques
Revised Excerpt from: Wikipedia

The International Chiropractor’s Association (ICA) states that the “chiropractic spinal adjustment is unique and singular to the chiropractic profession”, and that it “is characterized by a specific thrust applied to the vertebra utilizing parts of the vertebra and contiguous structures as levers to directionally correct articular malposition. Adjustment shall be differentiated from spinal manipulation in that the adjustment can only be applied to a vertebral malposition with the express intent to improve or correct the subluxation, whereas any joint, subluxated or not, may be manipulated to mobilize the joint or to put the joint through its range of motion… Chiropractic is a specialized field in the healing arts, and by prior rights, the spinal adjustment is distinct and singular to the chiropractic profession.” One author claims that this concept is now repudiated by mainstream chiropractic.  The definition of this procedure describes the use of a load (force) to specific body tissues with therapeutic intent. This ‘load’ is traditionally supplied by hand, and can vary in its velocity, amplitude, duration, frequency, and body location and is usually abbreviated HVLA (high velocity low amplitude) thrust. Intention: to correct vertebral subluxations.

The intention of a chiropractic adjustment is to affect or correct the alignment, motion and/or function of a vertebral joint. Specifically, they are intended to correct “vertebral subluxations”, the term given to the signs and symptoms that are said by chiropractors to result from abnormal alignment of vertebrae.  This intention forms the legal and philosophical foundation of the profession.

ADJUSTMENT METHODS:

As the chiropractic profession engaged in the pursuit of improving health through adjustments to the nervous system, individual practitioners and institutions proposed and developed various proprietary techniques and methods. While many of these techniques did not endure, hundreds of different approaches remain in chiropractic practice today. Not all of them involve HVLA thrust manipulation. Most cite case studies, anecdotal evidence, and patient testimonials as evidence for effectiveness. These techniques include:

Toggle Drop – this is when the chiropractor, using crossed hands, presses down firmly on a particular area of the spine. Then, with a quick and precise thrust, the chiropractor adjusts the spine. This is done to improve mobility in the vertebral joints.
Lumbar Roll (aka side posture) – the chiropractor positions the patient on his or her side, then applies a quick and precise manipulative thrust to the misaligned vertebra, returning it to its proper position.
Release Work – the chiropractor applies gentle pressure using his or her fingertips to separate the vertebrae.
Table adjustments – The patient lies on a special table with sections that drop down. The chiropractor applies a quick thrust at the same time the section drops. The dropping of the table allows for a lighter adjustment without the twisting positions that can accompany other techniques.
Instrument adjustments – often the gentlest methods of adjusting the spine. The patient lies on the table face down while the chiropractor uses a spring-loaded activator instrument to perform the adjustment. This technique is often used to perform adjustments on animals as well.
Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) – this is performed by a chiropractor certified in this technique in a hospital outpatient setting when the patient is unresponsive to traditional adjustments.

ADJUSTMENT TECHNIQUES:

There are many techniques which chiropractors can specialize in and employ in spinal adjustments. Some of the most notable techniques include:

Activator Methods – uses the Activator Adjusting Instrument instead of by-hand adjustments to give consistent mechanical low-force, high-speed clicks to the body. Utilizes a leg-length analysis to determine segmental aberration.
Active Release Techniques – soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
Bio-Geometric Integration – a framework for understanding the body’s response to force dynamics. Can be utilized with many techniques. Focuses on the body’s full integration of forces and on assessment for choosing the most appropriate adjustive force application, ranging from light pressure to traditional joint cavitation, for each particular case presentation.
Blair Upper Cervical Technique – an objective upper cervical technique focusing primarily on misalignments in the first bone of the spine (Atlas) as it comes into contact with the head (Occiput).
Cox Flexion-Distraction – a gentle, non-force adjusting procedure which mixes chiropractic principles with osteopathic principles and utilizes specialized adjusting tables with movable parts.
Hole-in-one technique – developed by B.J. Palmer. He, at some point, claimed that the “pure, unadulterated & straight” chiropractors should only treat the upper two cervical vertebrae (C1-C2) , which is the cause of most, if not all, disorders by being misaligned.
Directional Non-Force Technique – utilizes a diagnostic system for subluxation analysis consisting of gentle challenging and a unique leg check allowing the body to indicate the directions of misalignment of structures that are producing nerve interference. A gentle but directionally specific thumb impulse provides a long lasting correction to bony and soft tissue structures.
Diversified – the classic chiropractic technique, developed by D.D. Palmer, DC. Uses specific manual thrusts focused on restoring normal biomechanical function. Has been developed to adjust extremity joints as well.
Gonstead Technique – Developed by an automotive engineer turned chiropractor, this technique uses a very specific method of analysis by the use of nervoscopes, full spine x-rays and precise adjusting techniques that condemns “torquing” of the spine, which may harm the Intervertebral disc.
Kale Technique (Specific Chiropractic) – gentle technique which utilizes a special adjusting table that helps adjust and stabilize the upper cervical region surrounding the brain stem.
Logan Basic Technique – a light touch technique that works to “level the foundation” or sacrum. Its concept employs the use of heel lifts and specific contacts.
NUCCA Technique – manual method of adjusting the atlas subluxation complex based on 3D x-ray studies which determine the correct line of drive or vector of force.
Orthospinology Procedure – is a method of analyzing and correcting the chiropractic upper cervical subluxation complex based on vertebral alignment measurements on neck x-rays taken from three different directions. The adjustment can be delivered by hand, hand-held or table mounted instruments along a pre-calculated vector using approximately 1 to 7 pounds of force. The patient is in a side-lying posture with a solid mastoid support. The procedure is based on the work of the late John F. Grostic, D.C.
Thompson Terminal Point Technique (Thompson Drop-Table Technique) - uses a precision adjusting table with a weighing mechanism which adds only enough tension to hold the patient in the “up” position before the thrust is given.
Toggle Recoil Technique – a quick thrust and release to the upper cervical vertebra, the recoil is to allow the vertebra to oscillate into its proper position.

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