Major Chiropractic Technique Systems

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

“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)

Using “subluxation” clinically:

“Palmer Package” Techniques:

Diversified Gonstead Thompson Palmer Upper Cervical Specific/Toggle

Recoil/HIO

“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

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

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

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

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”

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

Applied Kinesiology (AK):

Tonal approach developed by Dr. Goodheart

Use of muscle testing in analysis Incorporation of nutrition, other

complementary procedures

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

Chiropractic Bio-Physics (CBP):

Full-spine structural approach developed by D. Harrison

Similar in many ways to Pettibon

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

Motion Palpation:

A full-spine segmental technique developed by H. Gillet and 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…)

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

“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

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

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

DNFT (Directional Non-Force Technique):

Tonal approach developed by Van Rumpt

Utilizes leg check and vertebral/muscle challenges to localize subluxations

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

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