Cervical and Kinesiology
Diversified
The Diversified Technique is the classic chiropractic technique developed and refined to address bio-mechanical failure in each section of the spine, as it relates to specific subluxation. The focus is on restoration to normal bio-mechanical function, and correction of subluxation. In addition, Diversified methods have been developed to adjust extremity joints, allowing for beneficial applications in treating sports injuries and other injuries.
Diversified is the technique that generally results in the popping sound as the chiropractor makes a manual adjustment to correct misaligned or subluxated spinal segments of the neck or back, and is one of the most widely used forms of manipulation in the chiropractic field.
Diversified adjusting of the spine uses specific lines of drives for all manual thrusts, allowing for specificity in correcting mechanical distortions of the spine. X-rays and case histories are used in analysis and diagnosis. No instruments are used in the adjusting procedure. Motion palpatation and full spine, hands-on techniques are used to deliver a deeper thrust, which makes an osseous (popping) sound as the adjustment is given.
Diversified adjustive procedures consist of high velocity, low amplitude thrusts that usually results in a cavitation of a joint. These techniques attempt to use the normal biomechanics of the spine and extremities in order to create motion in spinal or extremity joints, with the goal of restoring function and structure to the joint.
Thompson
The Thompson Technique is a specific chiropractic technique that was discovered and developed by Dr. J. Clay Thompson. Thompson Technique uses a special table with several segments called drop pieces. With Thompson Technique, the table segments can be cocked up a fraction of an inch, so when the thrust is delivered, the table will drop. One of the benefits of Thompson technique is that the drop pieces assist the thrust therefore minimizing the force used for the adjustment. The majority of the spinal adjusting utilizing the Thompson Technique has the patient lying prone (face down). The Leg length analysis concept is another important aspect of the Thompson Technique. This is a method used to determine imbalance in the length of the legs when observed with the patient in a prone position (face down) on the table.
Activator
The Activator Method Chiropractic Technique is a gentle, low-force approach to chiropractic care. The technique has been used safely on patients of all ages since the late 1960s, bringing relief to people with a variety of health concerns.
Incorporating the latest advances in orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic examinations, this unique system of administering spinal adjustments using research-based analysis and the Activator Adjusting Instrument can help restore spinal balance safely and comfortably. Because of its effectiveness and gentle nature, the Activator Method has grown to become the world’s most widely-used instrument chiropractic technique.
Restoring spinal balance safely and successfully has been the driving force behind the Activator Method Chiropractic Technique. The technique utilizes specific protocols to detect spinal joint dysfunction, analyze leg length inequality, identify issues with body mechanics, and test neurological reflexes. By analyzing results of these examinations, an Activator doctor can initiate the process of restoring spinal balance in the patient, gently and effectively.
The Activator Adjusting Instrument is the tool more doctors choose to deliver low-force chiropractic adjustments. This unique hand-held instrument has been studied extensively with results published in hundreds of peer-reviewed research papers, and was designed to give patients a specific and gentle adjustment.
Patients from all ages can enjoy the benefits of an Activator adjustment. The technique is especially helpful for children who sometimes have trouble laying still. The Activator adjustment is so quick and comfortable, children often look forward to their next visit!
Older patients, or those with arthritis, osteoporosis or other bone-weakening conditions find the Activator Method to be effective and gentle. The low-force thrust of the Activator Adjusting Instrument, and the doctor’s ability to pinpoint the exact location of the problem through Activator analysis, can relieve a patient’s pain without discomfort.
By restoring spinal balance, chiropractic care aids the body in healing itself. And the Activator Method Chiropractic Technique accomplishes this goal through safe, effective and gentle low-force adjustments. The Activator Method Chiropractic Technique is available at Pines Family and at our Weston location, Windmill Health Center.
Cox Distraction
Those who’ve used the technique and those who’ve benefited from it have another description for it: they call the Cox Technique the 21st-century solution to spinal pain.
Cox Distraction makes use of flexion-distraction and decompression to adjust and manipulate the spine. The technique can help relieve back disc pain and essentially realigns the spine by restoring verterbral joints to their proper physiological relationships of motion.
Cox Distraction and decompression is a well-researched, well-documented, and proven-effective technique for decompressing spinal nerves and treating low back pain. It is a gentle, non-surgical, no- force procedure that helps the spine heal properly – and keeps it as pain free as possible.
Since introducing technique in the mid-1960s, Dr. Cox has continued to refine its protocols. He has also developed the Cox Table, the perfect instrument for efficaciously delivering Cox Distraction treatment.
Today, Cox Distraction is the “gold standard” used by thousands of physicians around the world to treat low back and leg pain, neck and arm pain, and other spinal pain conditions.
Upper Cervical
Upper Cervical chiropractic techniques are a very specific and very gentle class of chiropractic treatments. There is no “cracking” but rather very gentle adjustment to the first vertebra in the back (the C1 or the “Atlas”).
Why does this chiropractic technique focus on the alignment of just one bone – the Atlas? Because the head, which can weigh as much as 14 lbs, (professional bowling balls weigh between 10-13 pounds), when out of alignment can put tremendous pressure on the nerves which run from the brain through the openings in the Atlas to the rest of the body.
When the head is out of alignment, the rest of the body will twist causing one shoulder to drop down, one hip to be pulled up, etc. This twisting is not visible to anyone not looking for it. But the resulting conditions are well known to all, including: migraines, herniated discs, dizziness, fibromyalgia, allergies, asthma, chronic neck and back pain, and many others.
The head was meant to sit level on the Atlas, its “platform”, but over years of sports, raising kids, or even simple childhood slips and falls, lots of things can happen which can cause this 14 lbs. ball to shift off center. When that happens, pressure is put on the nerves passing through the Atlas, not unlike putting a 14lb brick on a hose and causing the hose to kink. Just as with fluid through the kinked hose, brain signals do not pass properly through the kinked nerve and numerous conditions can result and, worsen, as the nerve continues or worsens in this kinked state.
At Pines Family and at our Weston location, Windmill Health Center, we conduct a number of diagnostic tests which can visibly illustrate misalignment and the problems which can be caused by it.
Through a series of adjustments, the upper cervical chiropractic procedure and treatment returns the head to balance so that the “kinked” nerves can return to a healthy state. In most cases, nerves, which may have been under stress for many years will return to their normal state and proper nerve health can be restored. Often the restoration is visible in before and after x-rays which can literally show the spine as it returns to its healthy position.
Kinesiology
Applied Kinesiology is an alternative medicine diagnostic tool and treatment developed by chiropractor George Goodheart, Jr. forty years ago. It is a strength resistance test based on the link between muscles, glands and organs. Muscle strength is tested and the strength of the muscle is believed to be related to the health of the organ or area of the body being tested.
Applied Kinesiology is based on the philosophies of other holistic therapies, including osteopathy, chiropractic, meridian therapy, and physical manipulation. Each movement has an active muscle that is “on” and an opposing muscle that turns “off”. Muscular imbalances are corrected using manual pressure on the muscle as well as other techniques.
Applied Kinesiology is used by the chiropractic profession to treat structural imbalances and muscle and joint problems. It is also used as an indicator of organ dysfunction.
For example, the Deltoid muscle is believed to be related to the lungs, so a muscle test on the Deltoid muscle is an indicator of the health of the lungs. If the muscle is weak due to a chronic infection, the Applied Kinesiologist would likely use techniques to stimulate blood and nerve function, lymphatic drainage, and acupuncture energy. When the illness resolved, the deltoid muscle would have improved function.
Another application of Applied Kinesiology is to detect food allergies and sensitivities. Foods that cause allergic reactions are believed to cause reversible muscle weakness. Applied kinesiology practitioners have clients place samples of foods into the mouth one at a time while muscle tests are performed (this would be used for foods causing sensitivity rather than severe allergies causing anaphylactic shock).
During the interview, the client history is recorded and the practitioner does a physical assessment, noting imbalances in posture and gait. Muscle testing is then done. The results of the testing may indicate the need for physical manipulation or stimulation of acupuncture points.