Chiropractors have a lot of options available to them when they adjust a patient’s spine. Some of the chiropractic techniques that are well-known include spinal manipulation (SMT), diversified technique (DT), activator technique (AMCT), and the Gonstead Method. There are many other ways to provide chiropractic therapy as well.
Chiropractic Technique: Cranial Work
Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT™) is a “chiropractic Craniopathy that integrates art, science and philosophy of optimizing the human innate healing systems.” This can include soft tissue techniques, biomechanics, and nutrition.1 M.B. De Jarnette, D.C pioneered the Cranial Technique in 1968.2 John Upledger is credited with developing CranioSacral Therapy. According to Thomas Bianco, MSPT, “CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle approach that works to alleviate a range of sensory, motor or neurological disorders.” People have an internal, self-healing system, according to this philosophy. CST could enhance that healing system. A practitioner uses only about a nickel’s worth of pressure to evaluate the patient’s craniosacral system, which are the “membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord as well as the attached bones”; from the skull to the tailbone. Guided by the patient’s body, and using gentle techniques, the practitioner’s goal is to release “restrictions” in the body. Cranial work can be used for a variety of ailments, including “brain and spinal cord injuries, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue…chronic neck and back pain, scoliosis…stress and tension-related problems, and orthopedic problems”. Patients report feeling healthier and more energetic.3 Organs can cause subluxations (vertebrae misalignment) and subluxations can impact the organs. One of SOT™ Methods is a technique called Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Technique (CMRT), which addresses the connection between the organs and bones.4
Cox Flexion-Distraction
Dr. James M. Cox, DC, DACBR created the Cox Technique in the 1960s. The “Cox Technic” is usually called “flexion-distraction”.5 Patients lie on a Cox Table, which is a specialized chiropractic instrument. This allows the chiropractor to perform “decompression adjustment and manipulation”, as well as 
flexion-distraction. Patients can experience less “intradiscal pressure”, “widening the spinal canal foraminal area”, less pressure on spinal nerves, and increased motion to the joints. “Flexion distraction for low back pain conditions takes just 12 visits in 29 days average” with about 13 visits for neck pain and “the goal of flexion distraction care is at least 50% relief of pain in 30 days”.6 It works as follows: the patient lies on a table (face down), the chiropractor worked on one vertebral segment at a time, and “distraction manipulation is applied” to the areas in pain.7 In other words, while the spine is stretched on the table, the chiropractor can “can gently move the disc away from an affected nerve”.8
Thompson Technique
“The Thompson Technique is one of several Activator Methods.”9 The Thompson Technique also looks at different leg lengths. Like the Cox method, it involves a table as well—a drop table—that is used for “gentle thrust” adjustments applied to the joints. Specific areas are targeted by the drop piece. Multiple thrusts adjust the legs.10 A chiropractor may order additional tests and X-rays to diagnose the misalignment, which can be cervical, pelvic, or spinal.11
References:
1 http://www.sorsi.com/about-us/our-technic-defined.html
2 http://www.sorsi.com/about-us/sot-inner.html
3 http://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/craniosacral-therapy
4 http://www.evochiropractic.com/faqs.html
5 http://www.coxtechnic.com/about-us/history
6 http://www.coxtechnic.com/about-us/flexion-distraction-relieves-spine-pain
7 http://www.coxtechnic.com/patients/treatment
8 http://www.superpages.com/supertips/chiropractic-terms.html
9,11 http://drkylechiropractic.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/the-thompson-chiropractic-technique/
10 http://www.chiropractorguide.com/alternatives/understanding-chiropractic-techniques
See more information about chiro techniques.
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