Major Chiropractic Technique Systems

1. Major Chiropractic Technique Systems

2. Chiropractic Clinical Approaches: • Segmental- subluxation is described in terms of alterations in specific intervertebral motion segments • Postural- subluxation is seen as a postural and/or motion distortion of whole spine (“closed kinetic chain”) • Tonal- view the spine and nervous system as a functional unit; goal is to “clear” the patient functionally

3. Using “subluxation” clinically: • “Mr. Smith, your second cervical vertebra is subluxated.” (segmental) • Ms. Jones, your spine is subluxated.” (postural) • Dr. Chiro, I need to get adjusted; I’m subluxated.” (tonal)

4. “Palmer Package” Techniques: • Diversified • Gonstead • Thompson • Palmer Upper Cervical Specific/Toggle Recoil/HIO

5. “Diversified”: • Full-spine segmental approach • Mostly two-hand application of dynamic thrust (HVLA- High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude) • Patient is prone, supine, sitting; usually no use of drops on adjusting table

6. Gonstead • Full-spine segmental approach developed by C.S. Gonstead of Wisconsin- Mt. Horeb • single and two-hand technique • Patient is prone, sitting, side-lying, knee-chest position; pelvic bench, cervical chair, knee-chest tables • No drops used • “Nervoscope” and x-ray analysis of spine

7. Thompson: • Full-spine segmental approach developed by C. Thompson • Utilizes diversified procedures on an adjusting table equipped with drop sections • Patient usually prone or supine on the adjusting table • Extremity joints can also be adjusted

8. Activator: • Full-spine segmental approach developed by Lee & Fuhr • Uses hand-held, spring-powered adjusting instrument • Utilizes leg-checks, postural challenges to localize subluxation • PCC elective

9. Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT): • Tonal/segmental approach developed by M. Dejarnette • One aspect of approach is facilitating CSF flow • Use of pelvic “blocking” procedures • Advanced procedures include cranial adjusting • PCC “elective”

10. Logan (Basic) Technique: • Full-spine postural approach • Use of sustained low/light force applied manually to the sacrum to level the sacral base • PCC elective

11. Applied Kinesiology (AK): • Tonal approach developed by Dr. Goodheart • Use of muscle testing in analysis • Incorporation of nutrition, other complementary procedures

12. Pettibon: • Full-spine structural approach developed by B. Pettibon • Analytical use of x-ray • Variety of procedures utilized, including dynamic thrust procedures, spinal traction, specific exercises, upper-cervical adjusting

13. Chiropractic Bio-Physics (CBP): • Full-spine structural approach developed by D. Harrison • Similar in many ways to Pettibon

14. Cox (Flexion-Distraction): • Low-back disc treatment approach developed by J. Cox • Utilizes manual or motorized traction applied to lumbar region to reduce bulging of lumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral discs

15. Motion Palpation: • A full-spine segmental technique developed by H. Gilletand a form of spinal analysis • Spinal segments examined manually to localize specific joints and directions of motion that are restricted/fixated/hypomobile • The MP technique also uses adjusting procedures to restore motion (mobilization, HVLA, etc…)

16. Nimmo Receptor-Tonus: • Full-spine, extremity soft-tissue approach developed by R. Nimmo • Analyzes and treats the muscle component of subluxation using generally manual treatment directed at “trigger points” and other areas of disturbed muscle function

17. “Network” Spinal Analysis • Full-spine tonal approach developed by D. Epstein • Utilizes an integration of several different techniques to achieve end result of “clearing” patient of neural dysfunction

18. BEST (Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique): • Tonal approached developed by M.T. Morter • Integrates chemical and emotional components with the structural to “clear” the patient of neural dysfunction; an “energy” approach

19. NET (Neuro-Emotional Technique) • Tonal approach developed by S. Walker • Analysis using muscle testing procedures to identify past or present emotional stress links to persistent structural patterns/subluxations

20. DNFT (Directional Non-Force Technique): • Tonal approach developed by Van Rumpt • Utilizes leg check and vertebral/muscle challenges to localize subluxations

21. Toftness: • Tonal/segmental approach developed by I.N. Toftness • Analyzes for subluxation by attempting to identify segments emitting specific frequency of electromagnetic radiation • Use of device (radiometer) to detect subluxated levels • Light-force stylus used to adjust

22. Upper Cervical Specific Approaches: • Palmer Upper Cervical/Toggle Recoil/HIO- BJ Palmer • Grostic • NUCCA- Gregory, Dickholtz • AO (Atlas Orthogonality)- R.Sweat • Blair • Mears • Kale/Knee-Chest Upper Cervical • Life Cervical