Chiropractic Techniques

There are hundreds of ways of using carefully directed and controlled pressure to restore these subluxated (‘stuck’ or fixated) joints. This may require a quick thrust by hand, the use of an adjusting tool (Activator), or in other instances a slow, constant pressure. Sometimes, only one area of the spine is adjusted, and other times the entire body may require attention. Interestingly, adjusting of the joints works directly by stimulating the control centres of your spinal cord and nervous system, helping them do their job better, and enabling you to maintain your own alignment easier.

Some adjusting approaches can result in a faint ‘popping’ sound, called a cavitation and do not hurt. This sound is created by the shifting of gas and fluid within the joint, not the crunching of bones. Contrary to popular belief, the presence or loudness of the sound has little meaning, and varies with each patient.

These are some of the techniques our Chiropractors in Goolwa frequently utilise during patient treatments:

Diversified

A biomechanical model of analysing and adjusting the body. After careful testing and palpation, where indicated a specific manual thrust is administered to the spinal joint by hand. The direction, speed, depth and angle that is used is the result of years of experience, practice and a thorough understanding of spinal biomechanics. Commonly with this technique a small popping noise can be heard.

Neuro-Impulse-Protocol (NIP)

A neurological based approach to assessing the body. By following specific reflex pathways and their subsequent skeletal and muscular dysfunctions, we can uncover the many layers of subluxations commonly associated with spinal and neuromuscular disorders.

Charette Whole Body Adjusting

Once the spinal and pelvic dysfunction has been cleared, the Charette Technique allows the Chiropractor to accurately and quickly assess common mechanical and neurological imbalances within the peripheral structures of your body (arms, legs, and jaw). It is used to enhance nerve feedback to the brain and stabilise the spinal adjustments. Allowing your Chiropractor to treat your whole body….not just the spine.

Thompson

Thompson Terminal Point technique is an analysis system based around the findings that subluxations produce a functional short leg. With this adjusting technique, individual cushions or drop pieces located along our adjusting table, support each area of your spine until the thrust is delivered, at which point the drop-piece gently gives way, reducing the amount of energy needed to produce movement of a specific spinal segment.

Webster Technique

This is a technique developed and utilised specifically for pregnancy. It is a method of analysis and adjustment of the pelvic bones, muscles and ligaments, restoring proper neurological and biomechanical control to the pelvic structures. It has been highly successful in minimising the effects of intrauterine constraint and its effects on baby position, especially breech presentations, and birth. This is a very safe technique for use during your entire pregnancy and delivery.

Gonstead

Another safe and effective manual approach to examining and adjusting the body. Utilising the information gained from x-ray evaluation and spinal palpation, Gonsteads’ foundation principle explains how a subluxation pattern in one area of the spine can produce compensatory changes in another. Commonly with this manual adjusting technique a joint release can be heard.

Activator

The Activator Methods is one of the most popular low force Chiropractic techniques in the world. This time-tested protocol tells us if subluxations exist and their location. It also helps us know when to adjust and when not to adjust. The Adjusting Instrument is a handheld spring-loaded tool that delivers a consistent low-force, high-speed thrust, making adjustments comfortable and effective, especially for children and the elderly.

Sacro-Occipital-Technique (SOT)

Sacro-Occipital-Technique focuses on the patterns and relationship between the cranium (occiput) and the pelvis (sacrum). To obtain adjustments it utilises pelvic blocking, gentle spinal pressure, and cranial releases to restore normal neurological control and dural tension to the body systems.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Many subluxation patterns (both acute and chronic) can cause scarring to occur within the surrounding tissues. Where indicated our Chiropractors incorporate specific release techniques to these tissues in order to promote improved blood flow, reduce muscular pain symptoms, and speed up repair. In conjunction with your adjustments, this allows natural recovery to occur quickly. If necessary we may also refer you to another therapist to facilitate this process.

Musculoskeletal Acupuncture

Precise Point Musculoskeletal Acupuncture utilises the principles of traditional chinese acupuncture points in conjunction with anatomical relationships, with the goal of stimulating a musculoskeletal response. This therapy when used concurrently with your Chiropractic adjustments can aid in pain reduction and help stimulate tissue repair via physiological responses within your neuromusculoskeletal system.

The Graston Technique

Graston Technique uses unique handheld instruments with a specialized form of massage that is designed to help the practitioner identify areas of restriction and break up the scar tissue. The tools are made of stainless steel and are concave and convex-shaped. They have rounded edges and are not sharp.

Using a cross-friction massage, which involves brushing or rubbing against the grain of the scar tissue, the Chiropractor re-introduces small amounts of trauma to the affected area. In some cases, this process temporarily causes inflammation in the area, which in turn increases the rate and amount of blood flow in and around the area. The process is designed to help initiate and promote the healing process of the affected soft tissues.

Active Release Technique (ART)

ART is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue system that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles. ART is a very specific gentle technique applying manual maneuvering over the injuries area. Some over 500 set protocols are established for treating lower limb, upper limb and spinal injuries.