Top 10 Chiropractic Techniques

When people visit chiropractors, they pretty much always get adjusted.  What most people don’t realize however, is that there are many different types of techniques that chiropractors may use to diagnose and adjust their patients. 

Predominantly, the most common technique is called “diversified” as it is the technique that most chiropractic colleges teach.  Diversified technique is thus the “standard” form for chiropractors and in some ways is a hodge podge of many techniques put together (hence the diversification).  According to the 2005 NCBE (National Chiropractors Board of Examiners), over 95% of all chiropractors report using diversified technique in their practices.  There are at least 116 different chiropractic techniques reported being practiced and that number will grow with each generation of chiropractors.  According to the same NCBE survey, the top 10 chiropractic techniques after diversified, along with the % of DCs that practice it in their practices are:

• 

  BJ Palmer performing his Hole in One technique, not the most popular, but surely the most famous technique in the chiropractic profession

  Activator – 69.9%

• Thompson – 61.3%
• Gonstead – 57.2%
• Cox – 56.5%
• SOT – 49.9%
• Cranial - 38.0%
• AK – 37.6%
• Nimmo – 33.6%
• Logan Basic – 26.0%
• Palmer UC – 25.7%

There is no proof that one technique is better than another, and every technique has benefited some groups of people in the past.  It is important to not let a chiropractor’s specific technique scare you from chiropractic, but to find a technique that works for you!  Feel free to jot any comments you may have on any techniques you may have experienced.

What are Neurovascular Points?

Neurovascular points, are points that are usually on the face and scalp that are used for diagnosing and treating weak muscles in Applied Kinesiology, or AK.  They were originally discovered by Dr. Terence Bennett, a chiropractor, in the 1930s who found out that stimulating certain points would increase blood flow to specific organs in the body.  As a result, the increased blood flow would have a positive affect on those organ’s funtions.  Bennett was able to observe his findings by touching the various points and seeing the reaction it caused under x-ray fluoroscope and spent countless hours recording his points and findings.  Unfortunately for Bennett, his research took his life when he passed away from radiation poisoning.

Dr. George Goodheart, the founder of AK, took Bennett’s work and noticed that touching these various points could turn weak muscles on again.  Since it was found that Bennett’s neurovascular points were correlated with different organs in the body, it was easy for Goodheart to correlate these points with specific muscles.  Today, almost every muscle has its own neurovascular point.  While these points can overlap with other muscles, they are a useful tool to help fix an individual’s neurology.

What are Neurolymphatic Reflexes?

Neurolymphatic reflexes, or “neurolymphatics” as referred to in AK, is a location on the body that is believed to affect a specific muscle and organ.  As mentioned above, it is used in Applied Kinesiology for diagnosing the relationship between weak muscles and dysfunction with that muscle or its corresponding organ or gland/tissue.

Neurolymphatic reflexes were discovered by Dr. Frank Chapman, an osteopath in the 1930s.  Through palpation, Chapman found tender areas in the body, which he believed to be the result of an increase and even congestion in lymph.  Subsequent massage to that area would increase lymphatic drainage and lead to positive effects of the individual’s health, especially to corresponding bodily organs, areas, and glands.

Dr. George Goodheart, the founder of AK, liked Chapman’s work and through experimentation discovered that he could turn previously weak muscles on by touching and massaging these points.  Chapman’s work neurolymphatic points were all associated with specific organs and glands as Goodheart’s muscle testings were.  The first correlation that Goodheart found was that Chapman’s neurolymphatic point linked with the stomach was helped to turn on the pectoralis clavicular muscle, also linked to the stomach.  From there, Goodheart was able to correlate all of the other muscles he discovered and now every muscle has its own neurolymphatic point.