Chiropractic Techniques

Many people are curious about what to expect when they visit a chiropractor in Calgary, especially regarding chiropractic adjustment techniques. The goal of any chiropractic technique is to help improve spinal biomechanics and reduce nervous system interference. We have experience in several highly-effective adjusting approaches.

The primary adjusting techniques we use include the Diversified Chiropractic Technique and the Activator Method®. We’ll use our expertise and clinical assessment of your condition to recommend the best chiropractic technique for you.

We’re committed to providing the best chiropractic experience possible for our patients. If you’ve visited a chiropractic clinic before and have a preference in how you’d like to be adjusted, just let us know! It’s important that you feel relaxed, comfortable, and enjoy full benefits from our care.

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Diversified Technique

In the Diversified Chiropractic Technique (DCT), one of our chiropractors will identify which vertebrae have lost normal position or motion. Then a specific manual thrust will be applied to free up spinal joints that seem “stuck.”

Step 1:  Evaluation

First, we perform an analysis of your spine. At first, this may include a case history and X-rays of your spine if we deem them necessary.

Your chiropractor may use motion palpation in follow-up visits, where they feel the spinal joints move as you turn and bend. To check for an imbalance in your neck or lower spine, your chiropractor may perform a leg check.

Step 2:  Adjustment using the Diversified Technique

Once your chiropractor has identified the malposition of one or more spinal bones, a specific manual thrust will be administered. Our chiropractors have years of experience, practical knowledge, and specialized education. A thorough understanding of spinal mechanics guides the angle, direction, and speed of the adjustment. Your chiropractor will use a special hand arrangement called a “pisiform contact” to deliver a specific thrust at the right place and the right time.

You may notice a slight popping sound from the energy delivered during the thrust as gas and fluids in the joint shift. It sounds more significant than it is, so while it may be interesting, it’s not something you need to measure to assess the value of the effectiveness of the adjustment you’ve just received.

Improvements to your spinal biomechanics can reduce disruption of your nervous system, which is a familiar concept for most patients. However, it’s not just your spine that can be adjusted. Almost all the joints in your body can be adjusted with the goal of restoring a proper range of motion.

Step 3: Follow-up

The number of adustments will vary depending on your needs and health goals. We’ll work with you to assess how you’re feeling in follow-up appointments, to decide the path of care ahead. Simply call our clinic to book your follow-up appointment so we can support you in feeling your best.

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Activator Method®

The Activator Method® involves using a specific handheld adjusting instrument to deliver a low-force, consistent thrust. We combine the use of this instrument with a system of careful spinal evaluation. The Activator Method® is one of the most popular low force chiropractic adjustment techniques in the world.

Step 1:  Evaluation

The first step is to analyze how well your spine moves. We’ll test how well you turn and bend. We’ll evaluate the length of both your legs while you’re lying face down in a simple procedure that can uncover significant differences in leg lengths. This method can tell us if vertebral subluxations exist and, if so, their location. This step also helps us assess when we need to adjust and when not to.

Step 2:  Adjustment with the Activator Method® Adjusting Instrument

This method employs a handheld spring-loaded instrument that can deliver a consistent high-speed, low-force thrust. This tool is called the Activator Method® Adjusting Instrument and is specific to this technique.

Why use the Adjusting Instrument? It is many times faster than manual adjustments (those performed by hand), which means your body rarely tightens in resistance. This can make adjustments with this technique both effective and comfortable. It can be used on other areas of the body like the knees, wrist, elbows, and other joints.

Step 3:  Follow-up

It’s important to come back for a follow-up appointment after your adjustment. We’ll book a follow-up to retest to see what changes have occurred. This helps us ensure we are always offering you high levels of care and making your visit as comfortable and effective as possible.