There are approximately six major techniques used in the chiropractic profession all designed to correct misalignments and improve structural balance and function. Our office uses a light adjusting technique called Activator, a manual technique called diversified, a flexion distraction technique called Cox for disc problems, and Sacral Occipital Technique using blocks to treat pelvic problems.

It really depends on the patients examination findings to determine which technique or combination of techniques that would be most effective. Also, some people are apprehensive about manual techniques therefore choose instruments.

For example, an elderly person with osteoporosis and degenerative arthritis could not handle a manual chiropractic technique, it would just make the person sore and aggravate the arthritis. These patients do much better with the instrument adjusting techniques which are lighter and easier tollerated. However, most people can handle manual manipulation techniques by a skilled chiropractor. These proceedures are used to free up spinal joints and extremities that are either fixated or misaligned. Sometimes this will show up as localized pain, but may be just stiffness.

During our initial examination, we find some spinal joints move more than they should to make up for spinal joints that don't. This can lead to chronic wear and tear arthritis and degenerative disc disease. That is why we encourage people to visit their chiropractor periodically for a wellness check, just like you would going to a dentist.

The causes of these misalignments may be trauma, structural imbalances like a short leg or a pendular abdomen. It may be poor ergonomics at the workstation that may lead to muscle imbalances.

Once the balance and joint function is restored to the best that it can be, muscle balance needs to be looked at to access stability. Muscles that are weak need to be strengthened and shortened tight muscles need stretching and lengthening exercises.

By working muscle balance techniques, that helps the Chiropractic adjustment stay balanced.

So, I encourage patients to become more pro-active, because if you wait until the pain develops, much of the degeneration, the wear and tear may have already taken place.

It's like so many health problems, the symptoms are the last to appear in the disease process, and are the first to leave.

Call our office for further information.

Dr. Rick Haas