Understanding Manual Adjustment in Chiropractic Care
What is chiropractic?
The definition of chiropractic by the father of chiropractic — D.D. Palmer is: “A Chiropractor is not a therapeutist, he is not interested in discovering nor in applying any remedies.” Chiropractic is the most scientific and practical system of locating and adjusting by hand the cause of diseases, or restabling and maintaining perfect health of mind and body of patient. A chiropractor traces disease directly to its cause which interferences in the normal transmission of the current between the nerve and the tissues and organ diseased. This interference is produced by a misaligned vertebrae which impinged on the spinal nerve. While chiropractors play the crucial role of eliminating the issues that impact the overall well-being of human body.
Understanding manual adjustment in chiropractic care
At Aligned, our chiropractors practice the Gonstead system. The Gonstead approach utilizes six primary tools to identify misaligned vertebrae which is classified as a “subluxation”, each of the tools support each other for the finding and selection of the real cause of dis-ease.
- Instrumentation: Gonstead developed a unique skin temperature differential instrument that records the very subtle temperature differences between two sides of the paraspinal muscles which may indicate the level of “subluxation”.
- Visualization: Visual inspection of patients’ body symmetry, static and dynamic intersegmental and global movement, skin changes, and any other visual sign.
- Static palpation: Digital palpation for point tenderness, skin tonicity, oedema.
- Motion palpation: Compare the joint motion of the specific segment or structure to its immediate foundation.
- X-ray analysis: X-ray taken in patients’ normal postural stance to allow full, integrated postural and biomechanical analysis.
- Case history: Identify the most likely “subluxation” based on patients’ pain syndrome and symptoms, particularly as it relates to a branch of Autonomic Nervous System.
Once the root cause (subluxation) has been identified using the six protocols above, Gonstead technique aims to correct it three-dimensionally by directing and adjusting thrust away from the misalignment to avoid additional harm to the supporting ligaments and disc. It is a specific, short lever, high velocity, low amplitude, sustained thrust that does not extend the joint beyond its physiological limits.
Conclusion
In summary, chiropractic, as per its founder D.D. Palmer, is a system focusing on locating and correcting the root causes of dis-ease through manual adjustments. The Gonstead system, a specific chiropractic approach, employs various tools to identify and address misalignments (subluxations), aiming for three-dimensional corrections using specific, controlled thrusts. The goal is to restore optimal health by addressing interference in nerve transmission and promoting proper joint function.
“We do not treat disease or its symptoms; we adjust causes” — W. John Cox