Adjusting Techniques
Most commonly used at Relative Motion
Every chiropractor has certain techniques that they tend to use in their office. Listed below are the 4 techniques that our office uses the most and has the most success with. Each technique has its own advantages. Please scroll down to learn more about each unique technique.
ADJUSTING TECHNIQUES
Every chiropractor has certain techniques that they tend to use in their office. Listed below are the 4 techniques that our office uses the most and has the most success with. Each technique has its own advantages. Please scroll down to learn more about each unique technique.
DIVERSIFIED
Developed in 1896, Diversified is, quite literally, the hands-on technique of chiropractic. This method uses your doctors motion palpation skills along with your history to detect areas that need adjusted. Diversified adjusting is known as HVLA (high velocity, low amplitude). Diversified can be used on all joints within the body from your fingers to your neck, low back, and all the way to your toes!

THOMPSON DROP
Thompson Drop is a technique that can be used on the entire spine. I prefer to only use it for the middle to low back, SI joints, and hips when needed. Thompson Drop uses a high velocity, low amplitude force to target the affected regions. Your doctor will push a lever which, in turn, will lift an area of the table under the area of your body being adjusted. Then your doctor will push the affected area on your body, you will hear a drop from the table going down, and the adjustment is successful. The doctor will likely do a series of 3 of these drops on the affected region.
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FLEXION DISTRACTION
Flexion Distraction is a method of adjusting the middle and low back where the table does most of the work! This technique involves a manual, or in our case automatic, table that flexes your legs forward and then back up to neutral. The table has a variety of different speeds depending on your situation. While the table flexes and extends, your doctor will apply pressure up and down your spine. The pressures will make sure the correct areas are being adjusted.

ACTIVATOR
Activator technique uses a small, handheld instrument which delivers a small, quick, low force thrust/force into the area which needs the adjustment. During this technique, you will hear several clicks from the Activator as you feel the impulse it is delivering. The goal of this method is the same as all of the rest of the techniques. The goal being to restore motion into the targeted joint to increase range of motion as well as decrease pain and decrease muscle tension! The Activator can be used all over the body on every joint you have!
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