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Chiropractic Techniques: Spinal Manipulation and Activator Methods

echiropractor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:19:51 +0000

Spinal Adjustment

Spinal manipulation is one of the most common treatments chiropractors use for lower back pain. It relieves pain by restoring function and mobility in the spine. Studies show that spinal manipulation is as effective as medical treatments and safe for everyone. Serious side effects from spinal manipulation are extremely rare, and very few cases have been reported. The most common side effect is soreness from treatment, but pain generally subsides within 1 to 2 days. In 2007, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society stated that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment option for individuals to consider when back pain doesn’t subside from medication. Research also suggests that spinal manipulation can relieve lower back pain up to 12 months.

Activator Method

The activator is an instrument that provides gentle thrusts into the patient’s problem area. The chiropractor will conduct several isolation tests on the patient to determine where and how the adjustment will be given. The activator is a hand held device that delivers effective and painless treatment on the spine and other joints. This versatile technique is commonly performed on athletes because it can be used on areas such as the knees, shoulders, wrists, ankles, and even joints located in the jaw. Activator is one of the safest chiropractic techniques and can be used on the elderly and even children.

Herniated Disk: Presentation and Management

echiropractor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:37:07 +0000

A patient with a disc herniation with radiculopathy complains of low back pain with associated leg pain which extends below the knee. Typically, this is brought on by sudden bending or twisting motions. A herniated disk is compression of a nerve root due to migration of the inner nucleus pulposus beyond its normal barriers. Researchers now think that the nerve root is not always compressed but inflamed. When these nerve roots become compressed, neurological deficits arise and become noticeable to the patient. The most common location for disc lesions is at the level of L4/L5 and L5/S1. An L4 nerve root lesion would demonstrate a diminished patellar tendon reflex, numbness on the medial lower leg and foot, and weak foot inversion upon resistance. An L5 nerve root lesion would demonstrate diminished hamstrings reflex, weakness of big toe dorsiflexion, and numbness on the lateral lower leg. An S1 nerve root lesion would demonstrate a diminished Achilles reflex, numbness on the posterior lower leg and lateral foot, and weak foot eversion upon resistance. The straight leg raise (SLR) or well leg raise (WLR) is a strong indicator of a disc lesion when associated leg pain is present. Braggard’s test is a confirmation test by quickly dorsiflexing the affected foot. A disc herniation patient should be managed with chiropractic care, but rotation should be avoided completely. A supine adjustment with the patients knees flexed is the best position or flexion/distraction technique should be administered. This technique decreases compression and pumps the disc offering the patient pain relief and increased range of motion. Activator technique and SOT have also been found useful in treating a herniated disk.

Chiropractic Techniques: Spinal Manipulation and Activator Methods

echiropractor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:20:53 +0000

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation is one of the most common treatment chiropractor’s use for lower back pain. It relieves pain by restoring function and mobility in the spine. Studies show that spinal manipulation is as effective as medical treatments and safe for everyone. Serious side effects from spinal manipulation are extremely rare and very few cases have been reported. The most common side effect is soreness from treatment, but pain generally subsides within 1 to 2 days. In 2007, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society stated that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment option for individuals to consider when back pain doesn’t subside from medication. Research also suggests that spinal manipulation can relieve lower back pain up to 12 months.