Chiropractic care is a form of alternative treatment. It diagnoses and treats nervous systems and musculoskeletal disorders. The methods used for treatment focus on improving your musculoskeletal system. It primarily focuses on your spine. It helps ease pain and enhance mobility.

Spinal Manipulation

A chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation is a technique used by chiropractors. It entails the application of a controlled force to a joint in your spine. Your chiropractor will do it often by using their hands. Its goal is to restore your neck's and back's range of motion, reduce nerve irritability, and improve your spinal function.

The procedure entails you lying down on a unique table for the treatment. Your chiropractor will apply a controlled and sudden force using their hands on a particular joint in your spine. You will hear a cracking or popping sound when the joint releases gas during the adjustment.

Spinal manipulation is an effective and safe technique for treating back and neck pain. But it is not ideal for individuals with particular conditions. These include spinal cord compression, inflammatory arthritis, or osteoporosis.

Flexion-distraction Technique

Chiropractors use this gentle technique to treat conditions like sciatica and herniated discs. You will lie face down on a specially designed table. The table is uniquely designed to distract and flex your spine.

Your specialist will decompress your spine by using gentle pumping motions. Doing so will reduce pressure on your nerve roots and spinal discs by increasing the space between your vertebrae. 

The flexion distraction technique is effective and safe. It is an ideal alternative to treatments such as surgeries that are invasive. Unfortunately, it may not be suitable for individuals with advanced spinal degeneration.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Soft tissue therapy technique manipulates muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It helps relieve pain and tension in the soft tissues that support your spine. Various methods can perform this technique. They include massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release.

Your chiropractor will use a unique tool or their hands to apply pressure to the targeted area of your body. The pressure will help:

• Relieve pain and tension

• Improve circulation

• Break up scar tissue in your soft tissues

The technique treats various conditions like neck pain, back pain, sports injuries, and headaches. It is effective and safe.

Activator Technique

Chiropractors implement this technique using a handheld instrument to adjust a patient's spine. It does not require manual thrusting. During the session, you will lie on a table as your specialist applies gentle taps to your spine. Doing so will reduce inflammation and pain in the affected areas and restore joint motion.

The activator technique is effective and safe for treating neck and back pain. It also suits patients who may not be comfortable with chiropractic techniques that use forceful thrusting.

Instrument-assisted Manipulation

Another chiropractic technique is instrument-assisted. It applies a force to your spine by using a handheld instrument designed for delivering a specific controlled pressure to a joint in your spine.

During the session, your chiropractor will ask you to lie on a table. They will use the instrument to deliver gentle thrusts to the area that requires treatment. The technique helps improve joint mobility and reduce inflammation and pain in your spine. It is safe, effective, and suitable for individuals who prefer a gentle spinal manipulation approach.

For more about chiropractic care, visit Active Family Chiropractic & Acupuncture at our offices in Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, or Columbus, Nebraska. Call (308) 384-4955, (402) 249-5500, (308) 222-4400, or (402) 265-6800 to book an appointment today.