Chiropractic Adjustment
Manipulation is defined as a form of manual therapy, which involves movement of a joint past its usual end range of motion. This can be applied to any joint. The patient is first positioned in a way that the involved joint or joints can be isolated from the others. Then, the doctor uses their hands to apply a gentle force to the joint. This adjustment moves the joint surfaces, and usually results in a popping sound.
Many times, back and neck pain is the result of joints that are not moving properly. Imagine a door that only opens halfway because of a stuck hinge. You could still use it, but it is more troublesome than a door that opens fully.
Joint mobilization is an applied passive force to move a joint in a desired direction. It is usually used to improve motion and normalize joint function. Any joint that is lacking proper motion may be mobilized. It can be used on all regions of the spine, pelvis, and extremities (shoulder, wrist, hand, hip, knee, foot and ankle).
What Benefits Are Derived From Joint Mobilization and Manipulation?
– Improved joint mobility
– Decreased muscle spasms & tension
– Decreased pain
Traction
Therapeutic spinal traction uses forces to stretch and mobilize the spine. In doing so it separates the spinal joints, widens the intervertebral foramen to relieve nerve root impingement and decreases intradiscal pressure.
Recent evidence has found that therapeutic spinal traction is an effective treatment approach for cervical and lumbar pain originating from spinal joints, injured discs and pinched nerves or sciatica.
Flexion-Distraction
Flexion distraction technique is used for treating symptomatic disc injuries, lumbar spine stenosis, degenerative disc disease and conditions of the spinal joints. Flexion-distraction involves the use of a specialized table that gently distracts or stretches the spine and allows the doctor to isolate the area of complaint while slightly flexing the spine.