Spinal manipulation is the process of adjusting the vertebra into proper alignment. It is most often done manually, using the physician’s hands, but specialized instruments can be used as well.
A number of techniques are used to stretch and mobilize and release the adhesions allowing more mobility and decreasing or eliminating pain in the area.
Best of all many insurance companies see it as a more cost effective solution than surgery and will cover the treatment.
Instrument assisted adjusted is utilized when patients can not undergo manual or “hands on” traditional manipulation. The patient may have a condition that contraindicates manual techniques such as osteoporosis (loss of calcium from bones) or simply may be unable to tolerate the technique. Instrument adjusting involves the use of a hand held device such as an Activator instrument or an electrically controlled device such as an Impulse unit. The devices function by introducing vibratory stimulus to the joint and subsequent nerves supplying the joint. By introducing information other than pain and immobility, we hope to change the reflex output to the joint and thereby reduce muscle spasm and splinting restricting the joint from movement.
