Chiropractors are trained to look at the spine as a whole, not just a series of bones. The goal of chiropractic care is to correct misalignments in your vertebrae and surrounding tissues, called myofascial structures. In this article, we discuss the most common types of adjustments in chiropractic care, including myofascial release, spinal mobilization and more.
What is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release is a form of manual therapy that uses sustained pressure on the body's soft tissues to restore normal movement and function. It is more than just a massage because it focuses on releasing restrictions in the fascia, which are connective tissue sheets that envelop nerves, muscles and bones.
It differs from other forms of massage because it aims to lengthen and separate muscles rather than just relax them. Myofascial release treats trigger points (tender spots often found in muscle), adhesions (tight areas) and scar tissue in an effort to increase circulation for overall health.
The combination of these benefits lead to better posture, improved flexibility, reduced pain symptoms and enhanced athletic performance. As such, myofascial release may be beneficial for anyone who sits at a desk all day or plays sports regularly. It is very common for chiropractors to use this technique on clients all day.
What is spinal mobilization?
Spinal mobilization is a type of technique that uses a combination of gentle stretching and gentle traction to relieve pain and improve mobility. It's often used in conjunction with other therapies, such as massage or chiropractic adjustments.
Some people experience significant relief from their pain when they have spinal mobilization therapy, but others don't feel much different afterward. Everybody is different! It's important to keep an open mind and give it some time when trying this new treatment.
What is the direct thrust technique?
The direct thrust technique is a basic chiropractic adjustment. The purpose of this adjustment is to reduce pain and restore function by reducing the subluxation at the segmental level of the spine. This in turn restores normal nerve function, relieves muscle spasm and decreases irritation to the surrounding tissues. This can be used as an acute treatment for those with sudden onset of symptoms or as a chronic treatment for those who have suffered from back pain for some time.
The Direct Thrust Technique (DTT) involves applying force with one hand so that it pushes against one side of your spine while you apply pressure with your other hand between two vertebrae above and below where you want to make an adjustment on each side. This allows for better manipulation without having to twist yourself into awkward positions as often.
This technique is intimidating to some. Talk to your chiropractor and ask any questions you may have about this technique before demanding it. It’s not for everyone who needs a chiropractor.
How does Spinal Manipulation work?
Spinal manipulation is a type of manual therapy that is used to treat many different health problems. The goal of this treatment is to restore movement to the areas around your spine by adjusting misaligned bones and muscles. Spinal manipulation has been found to produce many benefits including relief from back pain and neck pain as well as improved range of motion.
The method works by the chiropractor using their hands in combination with their knowledge of anatomy (the study of body structure). Chiropractors are able to gently move vertebrae (bones) out of alignment so they return them back into place where they belong. This helps relieve pressure on nerves that run through your body's soft tissues (muscles, ligaments or tendons). The pressure may be causing pain locally or sending signals elsewhere in your body for symptoms such as headaches or nausea from overstimulation from nerve impulses traveling up/down within your nervous system (central nervous system).
Spinal manipulation is very effective on patients, so ask your chiropractor if you are in need of this technique to relieve your symptoms.
What is the Gonstead technique?
Gonstead is a method of spinal adjustment that has been in practice for over 100 years. Many chiropractors use this technique, as it provides a gentle, precise and effective way to adjust the spine.
Gonstead chiropractic is based on the principle of “find and treat.” Your chiropractor asks you to lie down on an exam table to visually examine your spine before performing adjustments. If necessary, additional tests like x-rays or electromyography (EMG) may be used to help identify any underlying problems in your nervous system first. Gonstead chiropractic then focuses on treating the source of pain rather than just relieving symptoms after they appear. This method is a commitment, for it takes an extended period of time to see results.
These are just some of the common forms of chiropractic adjustments or manipulations. If you want to learn more about these methods, contact our team at Marshall Chiropractic. Our experienced team is here to answer your questions about adjustment techniques!
