Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractors use lots of different treatment methods and the best for your individual circumstance will be selected by your chiropractor after they have examined you.
Below is an introduction to some of the treatment methods used by the chiropractors at Worcester Chiropractic Clinic.
It is most likely that your chiropractor will combine a number of these treatment methods for best effect.
It is important to say that your preferences also form part of the decision-making process, so please let your chiropractor know your opinions on treatment methods.
Chiropractic Adjustment
Adjusting is the treatment chiropractors are most known for, with good reason.
Sometimes called manipulation, adjustments can be carried out on nearly any joint in the body.
They consist of a small, but rapid, stretch of a joint. This is often accompanied by a pop or a click.
Adjusting should not be painful and your chiropractor will take time during set-up to make you as comfortable as possible. Please feel free to tell them how you are feeling in this process.
Adjusting has a number of effects on the body. Principally, adjusting improves joint range-of-motion and relaxes nearby muscles.
There are also a number of nerve-related effects, making this a very potent treatment method.
Dry-needling
Dry-needling looks just like acupuncture.
The distinction is made because dry-needling has its roots in medical research into BoTox therapy.
Researchers found that a needle placed into the correct point within a muscle could cause that muscle to stop clenching.
This makes dry-needling very useful as a way of relaxing muscles and easing tension.
We’ve written a separate page on dry-needling, which can be found here. https://www.worcester-chiro.co.uk/articles/chiropractic/acupuncture/
Drops
Drops are a variation on adjusting.
Chiropractic benches have moveable segments, or drop-pieces, that can be lifted a centimetre or two.
Pushing down on the drop-piece causes a small but sudden movement, which can be used to give a small impulse into a joint.
The force needed to move the drop-piece can be precisely controlled, as can the direction of force.
This makes drops a useful tool where precision is particularly important.
Drops make a bit of a bang when they move, but the actual force involved is very small.
Just like adjusting, drops help to improve mobility and reduce muscle tension.
Adjusting Tool
An adjusting tool, or Activator, is a mechanical means of applying a small adjustment to a joint.
Just like drops, the force applied when using an adjusting tool is very controllable.
The adjusting tool also applies force much more quickly than a manual adjustment, making it useful where receiving an adjustment would be uncomfortable.
Our chiropractors often use the adjusting tool when forces required are very low, for instance around the jaw joint, which is a mobile and delicate joint.
The adjusting tool makes a loud metallic click, but the sensation is akin to a small tap.
Blocks
Blocks are small wedges that can be placed underneath your pelvis whilst you are lying down.
This allows gravity to stretch your body, helping to loosen muscles and align your pelvis and spine.
Blocks can be combined with other treatments and, often, your chiropractor will adjust or use dry-needling whilst you are positioned on them.
Massage
Chiropractors don’t do lots of massage, but there are times when it is useful.
Whilst massage can be uncomfortable, we see no reason why agony should be helpful.
Our chiropractors will be very specific with any massage they use and will not use unnecessarily forceful pressure.
Mobilisation
Joint mobilisation is helpful for times when adjusting is uncomfortable or contra-indicated.
Our chiropractors will often use mobilisation to work on joints that are only partially stiff, say in one direction or position.
Mobilisation is particularly effective for shoulder and hip joints.
Mobilisation tends to be a repetitive treatment. A joint is taken to, or just beyond, its limit a number of times to shift that point.
Rehabilitation and Advice
Whilst not really “treatment methods”, advice and rehabilitation are key to lasting improvements.
Our chiropractors will take time to provide you with as much of their knowledge as possible, whilst not bewildering you or setting unhelpful expectations.
