Spinal adjustment

Spinal adjustment and chiropractic adjustment are terms used by chiropractors to describe their approaches to spinal manipulation, as well as some osteopaths, who use the term adjustment.

The benefits of spinal adjustments range from temporary, palliative (pain relieving) effects to long term wellness and preventive care. There is debate from outside the profession, (mostly coming from those who would degrogate Chiropractic), and with little of no scientific basis, concerning the safety of some of the procedures used in spinal adjustments, particularly those including upper cervical manipulations.

Spinal adjustment is the chiropractic term for a procedure otherwise known as spinal manipulation. When used by straight chiropractors, it is specifically intended to correct vertebral subluxations. Spinal manipulation has documented use as far back as Hippocrates and the ancient Egyptians. The techniques were often handed down from generation to generation by families of bonesetters. The modern form of spinal manipulation techniques have characteristic biomechanical features, and are usually associated with an audible "popping" sound, which Chiropractic doctors call an "audible release". There is strong evidence that this sound is the result of a phenomenon known as cavitation. Many adjustment techniques and methods have been developed through the years by chiropractors, not all of which involve high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) thrust manipulation.

Adjustment/manipulation

The central clinical method that all chiropractors agree on is spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment. Although the terms "spinal adjustment" and "spinal manipulation" are often used interchangeably by chiropractors in their literature and research, chiropractors much prefer to use the word "adjustment" to describe the nature of their work.

Definition

According to the vastly larger, mainstream ACA the purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

The much smaller, International Chiropractors Association defines a chiropractic adjustment as being “characterized by a specific thrust applied to the vertebra utilizing parts of the vertebra and contiguous structures as levers to directionally correct articular malposition [an undesired positioning of a joint].” This is a concept now repudiated by mainstream Chiropractic. The definition of this procedure describes the use of a load (force) to specific body tissues with therapeutic intent. This ‘load’ is traditionally used by hand, and can vary in its velocity, amplitude, duration, frequency, and body location (Meeker & Haldeman, 2002, p. 218),[2] and is usually abbreviated HVLA (high velocity low amplitude) thrust.

Intention

The intention of a chiropractic adjustment is to affect or correct the alignment, motion and/or function of a vertebral joint. Specifically, they are intended to correct "vertebral subluxations", the term given to the signs and symptoms that are said by chiropractors to result from abnormal alignment of vertebrae (Meeker & Haldeman, 2002, p. 218).[2] This intention forms the legal and philosophical foundation of the profession, and is even formulated in US Medicare law as "manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation."

Adjustment methods

As the chiropractic profession engaged in the pursuit of improving health through adjustments to the nervous system, individual practitioners and institutions proposed and developed various proprietary techniques and methods. While many of these techniques did not endure, hundreds of different approaches remain in chiropractic practice today. Not all of them involve HVLA thrust manipulation. Most cite case studies, anecdotal evidence, and patient testimonials as evidence for effectiveness. These techniques include:

• Toggle Drop - this is when the chiropractor, using crossed hands, presses down firmly on a particular area of the spine. Then, with a quick and precise thrust, the chiropractor adjusts the spine. This is done to improve mobility in the vertebral joints.
• Lumbar Roll (aka side posture) - the chiropractor positions the patient on his or her side, then applies a quick and precise manipulative thrust to the misaligned vertebra, returning it to its proper position.
• Release Work - the chiropractor applies gentle pressure using his or her fingertips to separate the vertebrae.
• Table adjustments - The patient lies on a special table with sections that drop down. The chiropractor applies a quick thrust at the same time the section drops. The dropping of the table allows for a lighter adjustment without the twisting positions that can accompany other techniques.
• Instrument adjustments - often the gentlest methods of adjusting the spine. The patient lies on the table face down while the chiropractor uses a spring-loaded activator instrument to perform the adjustment. This technique is often used to perform adjustments on animals as well.
• Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) - this is performed by a chiropractor certified in this technique in a hospital outpatient setting when the patient is unresponsive to traditional adjustments.

Adjustment techniques

There are many techniques which chiropractors can specialize in and employ in spinal adjustments. Some of the most notable techniques include:

• Activator Methods - uses the Activator Adjusting Instrument instead of by-hand adjustments to give consistent mechanical low-force, high-speed clicks to the body. Utilizes a leg-length analysis to determine segmental aberration.
• Active Release Techniques - soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
• Blair Upper Cervical Technique - an objective upper cervical technique focusing primarily on the asymmetry of misalignments in the first bone of the spine (Atlas) as it comes into contact with the head (Occiput).
• Cox Flexion-Distraction - a gentle, non-force adjusting procedure which mixes chiropractic principles with osteopathic principles and utilizes specialized adjusting tables with movable parts.
• Hole-in-one technique - developed by B.J. Palmer. He, at some point, claimed that the "pure, unadulterated & straight" chiropractors should only treat the upper two cervical vertebrae (C1-C2) , which is the cause of most, if not all, disorders by being misaligned.
• Directional Non-Force Technique - utilizes a diagnostic system for subluxation analysis consisting of gentle challenging and a unique leg check allowing the body to indicate the directions of misalignment of structures that are producing nerve interference. A gentle but directionally specific thumb impulse provides a long lasting correction to bony and soft tissue structures.
• Diversified - the classic chiropractic technique, developed by D.D. Palmer, DC. Uses specific manual thrusts focused on restoring normal biomechanical function. Has been developed to adjust extremity joints as well.
• Gonstead Technique - Developed by an automotive engineer turned chiropractor, this technique uses a very specific method of analysis by the use of nervoscopes, full spine x-rays and precise adjusting techniques that condemns "torquing" of the spine, which may harm the Intervertebral disc.
• Kale Technique (Specific Chiropractic) - gentle technique which utilizes a special adjusting table that helps adjust and stabilize the upper cervical region surrounding the brain stem.
• Logan Basic Technique - a light touch technique that works to "level the foundation" or sacrum. Its concept employs the use of heel lifts and specific contacts.
• NUCCA Technique - manual method of adjusting the atlas subluxation complex based on 3D x-ray studies which determine the correct line of drive or vector of force.
• Sacro Occipital Technique - developed by Major Bertram DeJarnette, DO, DC, SOT is a pre and post outcome assessment indicator based system of analysis and treatment commonly using pelvic blocks or wedges to treat whole body patterns of asymmetry in position or function. While the technique has a focus on the sacroiliac and lumbosacral joints it has an assessment system (palpation of sensitive reflex points) to guide treatment of the whole spine, extremities, craniospinal meningeal system, as well as to affect CSF circulation, viscerosomatic reflex and visceral function, and TMJ/cranial bone imbalance.
• Thompson Terminal Point Technique (Thompson Drop-Table Technique) - uses a precision adjusting table with a weighing mechanism which adds only enough tension to hold the patient in the "up" position before the thrust is given.
• Toggle Recoil Technique - a quick thrust and release to the upper cervical vertebra, the recoil is to allow the vertebra to oscillate into its proper position.

Mechanisms and effects

The effects of spinal adjustment vary depending on the method performed. All techniques claim effects similar to other manual therapies, ranging from decreased muscle tension to reduced stress. Studies show that most patients go to chiropractors for musculoskeletal problems: 60% with low back pain, and the rest with head, neck and extremity symptoms (Meeker & Haldeman, 2002, p. 219).[2] Also the article Chiropractic: A profession at the crossroads of mainstream and alternative medicine states that, “chiropractic was to be a revolutionary system of healing based on the premise that neurologic dysfunction caused by ‘impinged’ nerves at the spinal level was the cause of most dis-ease” (Meeker & Haldeman, 2002, p. 218).[2] The mechanisms that are claimed to alter nervous system function and affect overall health are seen as speculative in nature, however, clinical trials have been conducted that include “placebo-controlled comparisons [and] comparisons with other treatments” (Meeker & Haldeman, 2002, p. 220).[2] Out of 43 trials 30 preferred manipulation over the comparisons showing that the benefits of chiropractic can’t be seen as speculative in nature. There are many ways that a chiropractor can choose to help a person. Some of the techniques use adjustments in an effort to restore proper posture and curvatures, under the theory that “poor posture and physical injury, including birth trauma, may be common primary causes of illness in children and can have a direct and significant impact not only on spinal mechanics, but on other bodily functions”. Whether these effects are placebo related is speculative though. Regardless of the technique used, most emphasize the repetitive use of adjustments over time in an effort to retrain the body's nervous system.

The effects of spinal manipulation have been shown to include: temporary relief of musculoskeletal pain, increased range of joint motion, changes in facet joint kinematics, increased pain tolerance and increased muscle strength (Meeker & Haldeman, 2002, p. 222).[2] Common side effects of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) are characterized as mild to moderate and may include: local discomfort, headache, tiredness, or radiating discomfort (Meeker & Haldeman, 2002, p. 222).[2]

Safety

See also: Spinal manipulation#Safety

The World Health Organization states that when "employed skillfully and appropriately, chiropractic care is safe and effective for the prevention and management of a number of health problems." As with all interventions, there are risks associated with spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). Common, but unserious side effects include: discomfort, headache, and fatigue which will go away after 24 to 48 hours. Extremely rare, but potentially serious side effects are alledged to include: strokes, spinal disc herniation, vertebral and rib fractures and cauda equina syndrome (Meeker & Haldeman, 2002, p. 222).[2] However, a meta survey organized by the Research Council of the WFC prior to the World Congress of Chiropractic held in Tokyo in 1997, for the first time under the sponsorship of the WHO, which was opened by the Minister of Health of Japan, and supervised by Scott Haldemann, DC, MD, PhD, showed that the incidence of strokes among Chiropractic patients is LESS than the incidence per 100,000 of members of the general public who had never been adjusted. Who will suffer spontaneous strokes at a higher rate. Thus, even for populations which may be prone to stroke, spinal adjustment in INDICATED, rather then contra-indicated.

See also

• Chiropractic history
• Cracking joints
• Joint manipulation
• Osteopathic manipulative medicine

External links

• Changing Views of Chiropractic - RAND Health

• In the Quest for Cultural Authority - Keating, Hyde, Menke, Seaman, Vincent, Wyatt

• About Chiropractic Adjusting, a.k.a. Spinal Manipulation - Frank M. Painter, D.C.

• About Instrument Adjusting