Chiropractic Techniques
Diversified
Diversified Technique is the classic chiropractic
technique, developed by D.D. Palmer, DC. and taught in all chiropractic
colleges. Diversified Technique was refined and developed by the late Otto
Reinert, DC, to address biomechanical failure in each section of the spine,
as it relates to specific subluxation. The focus is on restoration to normal
biomechanical function, and correction of subluxation. In addition,
Diversified methods have been developed to adjust extremity joints, allowing
for beneficial applications in treating sports injuries and other injuries.
Diversified adjusting of the spine uses specific lines of drives for all
manual thrusts, allowing for specificity in correcting mechanical
distortions of the spine. X-rays and case histories are used in analysis and
diagnosis. No instruments are used in the adjusting procedure. Motion
palpatation and full spine, hands-on techniques are used to deliver a deeper
thrust, which makes an osseous (popping) sound as the adjustment is given.
www.logan.edu/chiro_tech_div.htm
Gonstead
In the early 1960's word was spreading throughout the
world that there was a healer in a small farming community in Wisconsin to
whom people of all ages, and walks of life, were flocking. The man was
Clarence S. Gonstead. He became a chiropractor in 1923 following a personal
experience with chiropractic that had helped his body heal from a painful,
crippling episode of rheumatoid arthritis. With a background in mechanical
engineering, he would come to apply the principles of this discipline to the
evaluation of the spine. Based on his studies, he developed the "foundation
principle" to explain how a fixation in one area of the spine created
compensatory bio-mechanical changes and symptoms in another. He was a
pioneer in the chiropractic profession, developing equipment and a method of
analysis that used more than one criteria to verify the precise location of
vertebral subluxation (A subluxation is a spinal bone that is fixated or
"stuck" resulting in nerve pressure and interfering with the innate ability
of the body to maintain health). One hallmark of the Gonstead Technique is
adjustment of the neck with a very specific maneuver that is completed with
the patient seated. The neck is adjusted in this manner to eliminate the
twisting or rotation aspect of the adjusting procedure. The Gonstead
Technique is recognized throughout the global chiropractic community as one
of the safest systems of evaluating and caring for conditions related to the
spine.
Gonstead Clinical Studies Society
900 17th Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone 1: 1-888-556-4277
GCSSChiro@aol.com
www.Gonsteadseminar.com
Myofascial Release is a highly specialized stretching technique used by physical therapists to treat patients with a variety of soft tissue problems.
To understand what Myofascial Release is and why it works, you have to understand a little about fascia. Fascia is a thin tissue that covers all the organs of the body. This tissue covers every muscle and every fiber within each muscle. All muscle stretching, then, is actually stretching of the fascia and the muscle, the myofascial unit. When muscle fibers are injured, the fibers and the fascia which surrounds it become short and tight. This uneven stress can be transmitted through the fascia to other parts of the body, causing pain and a variety of other symptoms in areas you often wouldn't expect. Myofascial Release treats these symptoms by releasing the uneven tightness in injured fascia.
In other words, Myofascial Release is stretching of the fascia. The stretch is guided by feedback the therapist feels from the patient's body. This feedback tells the therapist how much force to use, the direction of the stretch and how long to stretch. Small areas of muscle are stretched at a time. Sometimes the therapist uses only two fingers to stretch a small part of a muscle. The feedback the therapist feels determines which muscles are stretched and in what order.
Each Myofascial Release technique contains the same components. The physical therapist finds the area of tightness. A light stretch is applied to the tight area. The physical therapist waits for the tissue to relax and then increases the stretch. The process is repeated until the area is fully relaxed. Then, the next area is stretched.
The therapist will be able to find sore spots just by feel. Often, patients are unable to pinpoint some sore spots or have grown used to them until the physical therapist finds them. The size and sensitivity of these sore spots, called Myofascial Trigger Points, will decrease with treatment.
Most patients are surprised by how gentle Myofascial Release is. Some patients fall asleep during treatment. Others later go home and take a nap. Most patients find Myofascial Release to be a very relaxing form of treatment.
Myofascial Release is not massage. Myofascial Release is used to equalize muscle tension throughout the body. Unequal muscle tension can compress nerves and muscles causing pain. Progress is measured by a decrease in the patient's pain and by an improvement in overall posture.
http://www.myofascial-release.com/
Trigger Point Therapy
The technique and methods of Trigger Point Therapy were
primarily defined and developed by Janet Travell, M.D. Trigger point
therapy's primary focus is the elimination of myofascial pain syndrome
caused by hyper irritable areas in muscles. Because these pain syndromes are
often overlooked, Dr. Travel developed the techniques of trigger point
therapy to help patients find relief. Trigger point therapy is performed in
several ways. The least invasive is through the application of direct
pressure, or ischemic compression to the effected muscle and the trigger
point contained therein. Application of a vapocoolant spray in conjunction
with stretching of the affected muscle, as well as therapeutic ultrasound
may also be used. More invasive methods are available if the myofascial
trigger points are unresponsive to the above therapies. Trigger point
involves direct pressure to and stretching of the affected musculature. The
amount of force used is dependent on patient tolerance. The technique
affects the body by eliminating the accumulation of waste in the muscle.
Additionally, trigger point therapy allows for restoration of normal muscle
tone and flexibility. Trigger points are generally located through physical
examination. Additional methods of detection such as thermal imaging are
currently being investigated.
www.triggerpointbook.com/
When a joint has been misaligned for as little as 10 days, long-term muscle weakness has already occurred. Corrective care may include rehabilitation with the electro muscle-stimulator and specific exercises, using plio-ball therapy as well as tubing and the use of the upper-body ergo meter
