Major Chiropractic Technique
Systems
Chiropractic Clinical Approaches:
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Segmental- subluxation is described in
terms of alterations in specific
intervertebral motion segments
Postural- subluxation is seen as a
postural and/or motion distortion of
whole spine (“closed kinetic chain”)
Tonal- view the spine and nervous
system as a functional unit; goal is to
“clear” the patient functionally
Using “subluxation” clinically:
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“Mr. Smith, your second cervical
vertebra is subluxated.”
(segmental)
Ms. Jones, your spine is
subluxated.” (postural)
Dr. Chiro, I need to get adjusted;
I’m subluxated.” (tonal)
“Palmer Package” Techniques:
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Diversified
Gonstead
Thompson
Palmer Upper Cervical Specific/Toggle
Recoil/HIO
“Diversified”:
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Full-spine segmental approach
Mostly two-hand application of
dynamic thrust (HVLA- High-Velocity,
Low-Amplitude)
Patient is prone, supine, sitting; usually
no use of drops on adjusting table
Gonstead
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Full-spine segmental approach
developed by C.S. Gonstead of
Wisconsin- Mt. Horeb
single and two-hand technique
Patient is prone, sitting, sidelying, knee-chest position; pelvic
bench, cervical chair, knee-chest
tables
No drops used
“Nervoscope” and x-ray analysis
of spine
Thompson:
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Full-spine segmental approach
developed by C. Thompson
Utilizes diversified procedures on an
adjusting table equipped with drop
sections
Patient usually prone or supine on the
adjusting table
Extremity joints can also be adjusted
Activator:
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Full-spine segmental approach
developed by Lee & Fuhr
Uses hand-held, spring-powered
adjusting instrument
Utilizes leg-checks, postural
challenges to localize subluxation
PCC elective
Sacro-Occipital Technique
(SOT):
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Tonal/segmental approach developed
by M. Dejarnette
One aspect of approach is facilitating
CSF flow
Use of pelvic “blocking” procedures
Advanced procedures include cranial
adjusting
PCC “elective”
Logan (Basic) Technique:
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Full-spine postural approach
Use of sustained low/light force
applied manually to the sacrum to level
the sacral base
PCC elective
Applied Kinesiology (AK):
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Tonal approach developed by Dr.
Goodheart
Use of muscle testing in analysis
Incorporation of nutrition, other
complementary procedures
Pettibon:
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Full-spine structural approach
developed by B. Pettibon
Analytical use of x-ray
Variety of procedures utilized,
including dynamic thrust procedures,
spinal traction, specific exercises,
upper-cervical adjusting
Chiropractic Bio-Physics
(CBP):
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Full-spine structural approach
developed by D. Harrison
Similar in many ways to Pettibon
Cox (Flexion-Distraction):
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Low-back disc treatment approach
developed by J. Cox
Utilizes manual or motorized traction
applied to lumbar region to reduce
bulging of lumbar and lumbosacral
intervertebral discs
Motion Palpation:
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A full-spine segmental technique
developed by H. Gillet and a form of
spinal analysis
Spinal segments examined manually
to localize specific joints and directions
of motion that are
restricted/fixated/hypomobile
The MP technique also uses adjusting
procedures to restore motion
(mobilization, HVLA, etc…)
Nimmo Receptor-Tonus:
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Full-spine, extremity soft-tissue
approach developed by R. Nimmo
Analyzes and treats the muscle
component of subluxation using
generally manual treatment directed at
“trigger points” and other areas of
disturbed muscle function
“Network” Spinal Analysis
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Full-spine tonal approach developed
by D. Epstein
Utilizes an integration of several
different techniques to achieve end
result of “clearing” patient of neural
dysfunction
BEST (Bio Energetic
Synchronization Technique):
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Tonal approached developed by
M.T. Morter
Integrates chemical and emotional
components with the structural to
“clear” the patient of neural
dysfunction; an “energy” approach
NET (Neuro-Emotional
Technique)
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Tonal approach developed by
S. Walker
Analysis using muscle testing
procedures to identify past or
present emotional stress links
to persistent structural
patterns/subluxations
DNFT (Directional Non-Force
Technique):
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Tonal approach developed by
Van Rumpt
Utilizes leg check and
vertebral/muscle challenges to
localize subluxations
Toftness:
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Tonal/segmental approach developed
by I.N. Toftness
Analyzes for subluxation by attempting
to identify segments emitting specific
frequency of electromagnetic radiation
Use of device (radiometer) to detect
subluxated levels
Light-force stylus used to adjust
Upper Cervical Specific
Approaches:
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Palmer Upper Cervical/Toggle Recoil/HIOBJ Palmer
Grostic
NUCCA- Gregory, Dickholtz
AO (Atlas Orthogonality)- R.Sweat
Blair
Mears
Kale/Knee-Chest Upper Cervical
Life Cervical