Chiropractic
techniques & terms glossary
(Also
see our links page under "techniques")
Activator
Activator is
classified as a light force technique, which was designed by Dr. Arlan
Fuhr. It employees a small hand held instrument which delivers a quick
and precise adjustment to the spine to help reduce subluxations.
Acupressure
Acupressure
is
manual pressure applied to specific acupuncture points with the
intention
of stimulating or inhibiting neurological flow to various organs,
glands
or tissues, with the purpose of returning the body to a normal status.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
is
the art and science of using needles, and electrical/or manual
stimulation
of reflex centers throughout the body to create change within organs,
glands,
and tissues with intent to return the body to normal function.
Applied Kinesiology(see
Kinesiology)
Biophysics
Cox
Technique
Dr.
Cox has developed
a technique of "flexion/disc-traction" which pulls the bulging
intervertebral
discs and tissues away from the spinal cord and the spinal nerves. This
tehcnique incorporates a special table that breaks away and flexes
downward
while performing the tractioning maneuver.
Cranial Sacral
Technique (See SOT below)
DNFT
(Directional non-force)
Diversified
Diversified
is
a technique that is taught at most major chiropractic colleges. It is
primarily
the use of the practitioner's hands to make the spinal correction. Many
times an audible snap or pop will be heard as the correction is made.
Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy
pertains to the use of electrical stimulation of the body. It may be
used
to control pain, increase blood and lymphatic circulation, reduce
muscle
spasm, relax or stimulate the nervous system or aid in the healing
process.
Flexion/Disc-traction
technique (see COX technique above)
Geriatrics
Most
doctors of
chiropractic treat geriatric patients within their practices. Doctors
of
chiropractic are licensed and extensively trained to diagnose and treat
people of all ages. Seniors may be treated with a light, medium or firm
adjustment depending on their age, degree of degeneration
etc.
There are doctors of chriopractic specializing in the treatment of
elderly
patients.
Gonstead
Dr.
Clarence Gonstead
developed Gonstead technique.
It
adopts the use of the doctor's hands to make corrections of the spine.
The doctor may use the side posture position (lumbar roll) to adjust
the
lumbar spine, knee chest table to correct thoracic (mid shoulder)
problems
and the cervical chair to correct cervical (neck) problems while the
patient
remains seated. This technique is also taught in most chiropractic
colleges.
Holistic
Holistic
health
care is the art and science of regaining health by treating man as a
functioning
whole. Health is attained by creating a natural balance of environment,
diet, water, rest, exercise, emotional well being and proper
neurological
balance.
ICE/IME
Independent
Chiropractic
or Medical Examination is an examination which is usually conducted at
the request of an insurance company that wants an independent
examination
by a doctor other than the treating doctor for the determination of
maximum
medical improvement or degree of impairment.
Kinesiology
Kinesiology
is the art and science of testing the strength of certain muscles to
determine
areas of vertebral subluxations, neurological deficits, and certain
types
of nutritional deficiencies. Also known as Applied
Kinesiology.
Links
to other chiropractic techniques
Massage
Many
doctors of
chiropractic incorporate a massage therapist within their office.
Massage
is used to increase circulation of blood and lymphatics, help with pain
reduction, and provided increased motion.
NAET (allergy
treatment)
Network
Network
Chiropractic is the integration of chiropractic techniques, which
utilized
light touch or taps to relieve spinal tension to clear the body of
nervous
interference. Major differences in approach is the sequence or timing
of
adjustments which are determined by objective changes in body
parameters,
such as leg length, etc. Network Chiropractic releases spinal imprints
or facilitation caused by physical, emotional or chemical stress, and
promotes
overall wellness.
Nimmo
This
technique,
developed by Raymond L. Nimmo, DC, uses thumb, elbow or a "Nimmo Tee"
to apply
pressure
to trigger points to reduce pain and edema associated with the
subluxation
complex. Also called the Nimmo Receptor-Tonus Method. Wooden "Nimmo T-Bars" with
rubber tips are used to eliminate trigger points.
Non Force
Non
Force refers
to a light chiropractic adjusting force which is administered to
correct
a spinal subluxation. Example: Activator, toftness, SOT, Trigger Point
Therapy, Logan Basic etc.
Nucca/Grostic
This
upper cervical
technique which involves a specific system of x-ray analysis to
determine
the subluxation complex. The spinal adjustment is delivered manually
but
at a very specific angle.
Nutrition
Nutrition
is the
art and science of correcting dietary deficiencies, which can result in
abnormal tissue function and certain disease processes. Some doctors
prescribe
specific vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes, herbs, etc., for
various
health problems with emphasis placed on changing overall dietary habits.
Orthopedics
Orthopedics
pertains
to the correction and prevention of skeletal and joint disjunction.
There
are chiropractors that take additional post-graduate classes in
orthopedics
and specialize in more in-depth injuries sustained to the spine or
extremity
joints.
Palmer
Palmer
College
was the first college of chiropractic in the world. The Palmer Method
places
a strong emphasis on correcting the spinal subluxation and establishing
a normal neurological balance to all tissues of the body. All
additional
therapies such as physical therapy, nutrition, etc., would be
considered
secondary after the correction of spinal subluxation.
Pediatrics
Pediatrics
pertains
to the use of chiropractic care for young children. Doctors of
chiropractic
are licensed and extensively trained to diagnose and treat people of
all
ages, using a gentler type of threatment for children. There are
doctors
of chriopractic who specialize in pediatrics.
Pettibon
This
technique
was orignated by a Dr. Pettibon who used his background in
engineering
to develop a specific chiropractic technique to make corrections of the
spinal subluxation. This technique uses a complex formula to ascertain
various misalignment angles and uses specific manual and instrument
adjustments
to correct such misalignments.
Radiology
Radiology
is the
use of x-rays to determine pathology (cancer, tumors, osteoarthritis,
osteoporosis
etc.) fractures, short leg deficiencies and spinal subluxations
(misalignment.)
SOT
Dr.
De Jarnette
of Nebraska City, Nebraska, developed Sacral
Occipital Technique (SOT). He divides low back conditions into
three
categories and incorporates wedge shaped blocks in conjunction with a
pumping
motion to make sacral corrections. He also uses a "stair walking"
movement
to make cervical corrections. His primary intent is to restore normal
cerebral
corrections. His primary intent is to restore normal cerebral spinal
fluid
flow as well as improve normal spinal integrity.
Sports
Many
doctors of
chiropractic that specialize in injuries that occur during sports
activities:
(concussion, sprain/strains of the ankle, knee, wrist etc.)
Subluxation
A
displacement
of the spine that causes interference to the nervous system.
Since
your spine affects the nerves in all parts of your body, problems in
your
spine may cause many types of health problems. Try checking this
web site for a more detailed discussion of subluxation.
Thermography
Thermograhpy
is
the use of instrumentation to measure the temperature of various areas
of the body to determine if there are any abnormal changes in the body
which would alter the flow of neurological, lymphatic, or blood to
outer
tissues (skin, muscle, tendons, ligaments, etc.) Most chiropractors
will
use thermography to determine if there is a neurological deficit
(subluxation)
within the spine that would cause vasodialation of the outer dermatones
(skin) of the body. Monitoring of thermography could be used to
determine
how well the patient is responding to care, or the degree of permanent
injury sustained.
Thompson
Dr.
Thompson developed
a mechanical drop mechanism for the adjusting table, which reduces
spinal
adjusting force and reduces patient sensitivity and pain during the
spinal
adjustment. He has developed a specific technique to be used in
conjunction
with his Thompson table. It ma be considered a non-force technique by
some
doctors.
Toftness
Dr.
Toftness has
developed a technique which uses a unique tube shaped instrument with a
series of lenses that help detect the area of subluxation and
neurological
disturbances. This instrument is said to detect minute radiation and
electromagnetic
disturbances that exist with spinal subluxations. He uses a very light
non-force adjustment in conjunction with this instrument to make all
corrections. More
on Toftness technique.
Trigger
Trigger
points
are acupuncture points which become inflamed with vertebral
subluxations
and can be treated mechanically by hand, needle, or electrically such
as
electrical muscle stimulation for the purpose of pain relief.
Webster Technique
The
Webster
Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment used
to
correct subluxations in the pregnant mother's sacrum and pelvis.
This balances the mother's pelvic muscles and ligaments, providing the
physiological environment necessary for optimal baby positioning.
This specialized technique was developed by Dr. Larry Webster, Founder
of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.
Weight Loss
Some
chiropractors
suggest various diets to help the patient lose and maintain a desirable
weight to reduce spinal stress. Nutritional consultation is used in
conjunction
with weight loss to maintain a holistic healthcare program.
PATIENT REFERRAL
NETWORK Find a
doctor
who fits your needs.