Understanding The Different Chiropractic Therapy Techniques
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chiropractic treatments, aren’t they the satisfying ‘pop’ sounds we see in online trending videos? However, what are they actually, and are they as effective as they seem? In this article, we’ll be breaking down different chiropractic therapy techniques and their effectiveness so you know what to ask for.
Why Choose Chiropractic Treatments?
Whether you’ve been in a car accident, suffered from a sports injury, or dealing with a recurring pain that won’t go away, going for chiropractic would be a good idea. Chiropractors have a plethora of treatment techniques that can help you solve these problems!
The majority of people generally gravitate towards the best chiropractor in California because of the natural and non-invasive approach that they use in treatments –– this means it’s both surgery and medication-free! Instead, chiropractic care uses a treatment that is holistic and manual, where the practitioner works with your body’s inner musculoskeletal and nervous system. Before every treatment, chiropractics diagnose whether the pain is either down or upstream by checking the muscles, joints, and bones above and below the affected area. This allows them to know whether the pain is a front for a serious issue, or the problem occurs somewhere else.
Different Chiropractic Treatments
Chiropractic Therapy Treatments are broken down into four main categories. First, manual treatments involve traction techniques, spinal decompression, and adjustments. Secondly, instrument-led treatments would include the well-known Activator and Graston. Thirdly, chiropractic therapies include using electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and heat or ice. Lastly, nutrition and exercise will include functional movement and anti-inflammatory dietary counseling services.
Manual Treatments
These are the most basic form of treatments practiced by chiropractors.
Spinal Adjustment/Manipulation
Spinal manipulation involves a controlled yet quick adjustment and thrust to the body, where chiropractic practitioners use the relationship between the spine, and nervous system to treat various pain symptoms. Once the adjustment and manipulation are complete, your body’s overall skeletal alignment will be enhanced and each joint will return to its natural range of motion. This is also where the trademark ‘pop’ sound is heard, which is a signifier of the areas that require adjustment.
This form of controlled force is done manually by a chiropractor who puts weight as assistance to help your upper back, lower back, joints in arms and legs as well as your neck.
Spinal Mobilization
Similarly, this method also aims to restore body alignment and enhance joint movement. However, instead of using controlled, quick thrusts, spinal mobilization uses slower, gentler movements to the joints. These are chosen over spinal adjustments for patients who have a sensitive nervous system, are in severe pain, to reduce muscle spasms, or if they are extremely overweight.
