Chiropractic care has existed as a regulated healthcare profession for more than a century here in the United States. It’s a discipline that is taught at accredited institutions, and those practitioners treat tens of millions of people across the country every year. And, while many people associate chiropractic care with specifically treating back pain, it has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments.
There are multiple ways that chiropractors can administer care. Below, we’ll go over two popular methods: manual chiropractic and the activator method.
What Is Manual Chiropractic?
When you think of chiropractic care, chances are you’re picturing manual chiropractic. This involves the chiropractor using their hands directly on the patient’s body to gently manipulate the body in order to align the bones and joints properly.
Spinal manipulations (or adjustments) are used to realign the spine, and since the spinal column is so integral to our nervous system, can end up relieving pain and discomfort throughout our bodies – not just our backs. Additionally, chiropractors may also manually perform massage therapy and trigger point therapy to relax muscles and disperse tension in the back, shoulders, and neck.
What Is The Activator Method In Chiropractic?
Unlike the manual method of administering chiropractic care, the activator method requires the use of a specific tool. Developed by Arlan Fuhr, the activator device has gone through five iterations in the past five decades.
Basically, this spring-loaded device is designed to tap the spine (or other targeted parts of the body) with just the right amount of force to perform chiropractic care, such as spinal manipulation, without the risk of any excess force that could potentially cause injury. Just like when utilizing manual chiropractic care, a chiropractor must be certified in order to utilize the activator method on patients.
Is Manual Or Activator Adjustment Safer?
Although studies have been conducted, there is no clear evidence to suggest that manual adjustments are more or less safe than activator adjustments. There is no form of healthcare that exists with zero risks involved. That said, you can mitigate most of those risks by seeking out a chiropractor who has years of experience and a proven track record of success. Additionally, it’s important to be upfront about any additional ailments you may have that could make some forms of chiropractic care unusable, such as spinal cancer and having a high risk of stroke.
Total Chiropractic Care Offers A Wide Range Of Treatments To Best Fit Your Needs.
The path toward easing chronic pain and improving overall quality of life through chiropractic care can involve a number of treatments. After being assessed by our doctor, we will work together on a multi-pronged approach that best fits your needs… whether it’s through manual adjustments or the activator method.
If you are personally more comfortable with one method or the other, that is taken into account as well. We also provide lifestyle advice to help better manage your chronic pain and discomfort so you can maximize the effects of our highly effective treatments and services. Contact us today, and start your journey toward a more comfortable tomorrow.
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