Chiropractic treatment is primarily based on treating spinal ailments. Many other treatments and techniques also exist treating the spinal cord but this is one of the most effective methods. Most chiropractors specialize in spinal adjustment only, but others use of a vast range of methods depending on the complication or injury to the spine. Few techniques used with traditional chiropractic treatments are:

– Strength training
– Soft tissue therapy
– Dry needling (spinal acupuncture)
– Functional electrical stimulation
– Traction

Spinal manipulation, also known as “Spinal adjustment” is the most frequent treatment used in chiropractic care. Spinal manipulation is a manual treatment given to a patient; it consists of manipulating the three joints of the spine. The joints are stretched and forced past the normal range of movement, but not as far to intentionally damage the joint or discs.

The movement is basically referred to as “dynamic thrust”. This is a sudden force that causes relaxation and increases the joints range of motion. When this happens the nerves on the spine stretch and relax and the discs make a popping sound. Spinal manipulative therapy is a technique where hands are used to force and manipulate, massage, mobilize, adjust and apply traction to the joints in the spinal cord and attached tissue.

Techniques

Diversified Technique: Consists of full spinal manipulation, performed employing various other chiropractic techniques.
Activator Technique: Treatment using a spring loaded tool to administer precise adjustments to the spine.

Thompson Technique: Treatment that relies on a drop table diagnoses and detailed procedures.

Gonstead Technique: Accentuating and evaluating the spine along with certain adjustments that will avoid spinal dislocations.

Cox/flexion-distraction Technique: Treatment giving gentle, low-force adjustment procedures which are mixed with chiropractic and osteopathic principals and it is administered using a special medical table with movable parts.
Sarco-Occipitial Technique: Treatment that uses the spine itself as a torsion bar.

Nimmo receptor-Tonus Technique: mainly evaluating muscles in the back. This treatment is generally known as “muscle testing”.

Medicine-assisted Manipulation: Treatment given under anesthesia, involving numbing the spinal cord. An uncommon technique, it does not show much evidence of proper treatment to the spine itself. Mainly the cause is that the patient can not feel the motion or treatment given to the spine.

Effects of Chiropractic Treatment / Manipulation

Lower Back pain: Spinal manipulation or forced mobilization is no more or less effective than other treatments and interventions for back pain. Methods for treating lower back pain differ but usually have the similar effects. Spinal manipulation for LBP is still in conflict, because it just gives a feel that the back is back in its normal motion. But many fans of chiropractic treatment may not agree with the lack of scientific evidence.

Whiplash and neck pain: Manipulation treatments for either whiplash or other neck injuries showed scientific evidence that the treatment was somewhat effective. It is observed that mobilization, and supervised exercise appears more beneficial for whiplash then other alternatives. Spinal manipulation for whiplash is mostly effective when combined with light movement in the neck and exercise.

The number of chiropractic treatments varies from patient to patient. It depends solely on the type of injury on the spine itself. Most treatments are left ineffective due to co-morbid risk factors (anxiety, depression, poor self recuperating strategies, etc). As an example for proper treatment of a sprain or strain on the spine requires more then 4 to 6 weeks of chiropractic procedures but very effective if managed with less stress and more mobility and plenty of rest.

Author Bio: Jenna Ekuban specializes in writing articles for Scott Family Chiropractic, providing the healing touch for backs in pain. You can visit their site at http://fortcollinschiropractors.net for additional information on everything chiropractic.

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Keywords: Chiropractors, backs in pain, fort collins chiropractor