Saturday, October 29, 2011

Know The Different Chiropractor Methods

By Adriana Noton


Going to see a chiropractor to address a wide range of problems is becoming more popular. People who suffer from back pain, chronic headaches, or stiff joints are typical patients. Other people might see one if they are suffering from pain after an accident.

In truth, a chiropractor may be able to offer relief for pain you're feeling just about any place in your body. The underlying principle of chiropractics is that many ailments result from a poorly aligned spine. So many of the therapies revolve around how to manipulate your spine in a way to regain alignment. Since spinal manipulation can be daunting, it can be helpful to understand some of the different techniques a chiropractor might use.

While an emphasis on your neuromusculoskeletal system is the foundation of any method, there is a range of methods available. Some focus more directly on the spine, while others focus on your head and face.

Most chiropractors will be trained in the diversified technique, the most widely used method. Its goal is to realign your spine using quick yet low amplitude thrusts. This method can look scary because the adjustments are made with such velocity. However this method is a general technique that has been taught and used in reputable chiropractic institutions for years.

One method that works as deeply with your skull as your spine is Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST). This therapy is performed by others alternative health practitioners in addition to chiropractors. CST is based on the idea that getting proper balance in the fluid in the spine and around your brain is the key elements in resolving some health issues. CST is most commonly used to treat headaches, jaw, mental stress, or generalized chronic muscle pain.

Some of the distinct chiropractic techniques are based on using a specific device, either as a diagnostic tool or as part of treatment. The Activator technique was devised by Arlan Fuhr who created a spring-locked tool that softly pushes into vertebrae. He developed it as a means to provide gentle yet effective pressure on the spine. Another device, the neurocalometer (NCM) was incorporated as a diagnostic tool by Clarence Gonstead to create the Gonstead method. The NCM is used to identify where the spine is misaligned.

As chiropractics gains wider acceptance, not all of its methods have as well. Applied kinesiology (AK)is a controversial technique created in the 1960s by George Goodheart. AK is a diagnostic method that uses manual muscle testing to determine where the source of illness is. It's guiding principle is that every illness in an organ will also appear in a corresponding muscle. So if AK can determine which muscle is out of balance, then it can identify the ultimate source of suffering.

Over time, the field of chiropractics has expanded to cover almost 100 different methodologies. A chiropractor might choose to use a different technique on different clients depending on their needs. If you are going to see a chiropractor, it can be valuable for you to understand what techniques might be used to help resolve your ailment.




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