ADJUSTMENTS

A Spinal Adjustment is given when the Chiropractor carefully applies a quick and controlled pressure in a precise direction to a vertebrae that is subluxated. The Adjustment is usually given manually by hand, however special tools such as an Activator or Integrator may be used. In order for the affected area to return to normal, this may take several adjustments. It takes time for the surrounding tissue to accept the new position as being ‘normal’ - just like teeth take time to straighten; the spine takes time to heal.

How Do Chiropractors Perform A Spinal Adjustment?

There are hundreds of different ways to give an adjustment. The adjustments are mostly quick movements applied to the spine. Sometimes only one area of the spine is adjusted, whilst other times, many areas of the spine are adjusted. It depends on the needs of the patient.

Chiropractors use special tables that the patient lies face down onto in order for the spine to be examined prior to each adjustment. This allows the Chiropractor to direct or reduce the adjustment force and sometimes the patients own body weight is used. The Chiropractor may also use a small instruments or blocks to assist the adjustment. This again depends on the individual patients needs.

The adjustment methods are modified to suit each patients requirements and condition. Babies only hours old and people over 100 may benefit greatly from a chiropractic adjustment.

Chiropractic techniques

There are several techniques used by Chiropractors around the world today. Dr Hendrey has completed post graduate studies on the following techniques. These include:

1. CBP
2. Gonstead
3. Torque Release Technique (TRT)
4. Activator
5. S.O.T
6. Manual Diversified
7. Applied Kinesiology (AK)
8. Toggle
9. Thompson Drop Piece

Is Chiropractic Safe and How does it Feel?

Chiropractors typically have 5 years of University level training and are highly experienced as they have given thousands of adjustments thus making chiropractic care very safe. In fact, Chiropractic is the largest drug free healing profession in the world and the third largest primary health care profession after medicine and dentistry.

There are about 50,000 registered chiropractors in the US, 10,000 in Japan, 5,000 in Canada, 2,500 in Australia, 2,000 in the UK, and 100-500 in each of the following countries - Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, and South Africa. There are also an established number of chiropractors in virtually every other country. (Chiropractic Report 2001.)

Chiropractic is safer than many of the everyday things that we take for granted. Chiropractic is safer than taking many of the drugs available today such as aspirin and paracetamol which can cause adverse reactions. It is also most certainly safer than back surgery.

Most chiropractic adjustments feel good! Sometimes, due to the severity of a patients case, their symptoms may mask this feeling of wellbeing.

Once their symptoms become alleviated, they will gain a sense of wellbeing. The first time a patient has an adjustment it may sound loud. This is because as the Chiropractor adjusts the patients neck, the sound is a lot louder for the patient on the inside compared to what anyone else hears on the outside. This audible popping sound indicates that pressure has been taken off the spine. This is perfectly normal.

Each adjustment itself is tailored for the individual as Doctors of Chiropractic can adjust anyone from newborns to the elderly. In fact babies can become subluxated from the birthing process itself. If left uncorrected can affect sleeping patterns, hearing and walking, colic, asthma, digestion, headaches and so on.

The pressure of the hands causes the springs of life to flow.

--Tokujiro Namikoshi