Although the word chiropractic derives from a combination of the Greek words kheiro and praktikos meaning ‘done by hand’. Practitioners can use a source of techniques to aid healing and speed up a patients rehabilitation. At North Downs Chiropractic, here are some of the terms and techniques you may hear us discuss as a way of helping you on the road to recover from your problem.

 

Mctimoney Chiropractic

This gentle adjusting technique was developed by John McTimoney, over half a century ago. With McTimoney Chiropractic, the aim is to treat the whole body using precise, fast, light adjustments. 

 

The adjustments are performed by skilled Practitioners using their hands to the bones, with the aim of gently re-establishing the correct alignment of the joints and to restore function to the body’s nerve supply efficiently. 

 

Because the adjustments are light and fast it doesn’t allow the adjacent areas of the body to tense up whilst adjustments are carried out, making it effective and comfortable for the patient. 

With a focus on maximum patient comfort the McTimoney technique is a gentle alternative to those who prefer not to experience more aggressive adjusting techniques, which sometimes create ‘cracking’ or ‘cavitation’ of their joints. 

 

Sacro-Occipital Technique

SOT is a chiropractic technique, which dovetails other treatments used within our clinic due to its gentle approach. 

SOT is a comprehensive and advanced concept of chiropractic developed through study, research and clinical application by Dr Major B.DeJarnette. 

The technique focuses on the relationship between two important parts of our spine, (the Occiput) a bone at the base of our skull, and a triangular shaped bone (the sacrum) at the base of our spine. These work together as a system, to enable a special fluid produced in our brains called C.S.F. (Cerebral Spinal Fluid) to function.

C.S.F acts as the communication fluid for our nervous system to work efficiently. 

De Jarnette studied every aspect of physiology and anatomy to clinically find that human distortion falls into three basic groups. He labelled these groups as Categories I, II and III. 

SOT uses gentle adjustments and breathing techniques to remove distortions from the spine and nervous system and help restore function and balance to our bodies.

 

Integrator

The Integrator adjusting instrument is a handheld spring-loaded tool that delivers a consistent low-force, high-speed impulse. It looks something between an instrument used by 007 in James Bond and a syringe, The instrument has a hard rubber tip at its end and an adjustable spring which changes the tension applying the force.



It was designed to be an alternative method to the other manual techniques chiropractors employ to adjust the spine and extremities and as with most chiropractic, they are done gently and with as little force as possible.

                                                   

The chiropractic integrator has been found to be effective having undergone decades of years of research and testing. Because of its effectiveness and gentle nature, the integrator has grown to become one of the most popular chiropractic instruments for Practitioners to use.

 

Soft Tissue Release (STR)

Soft Tissue Release (STR) is a highly effective massage technique in treating minor soft tissue or overuse injuries. Developed by Mary Sanderson the technique can be used on anyone with chronic muscle pain relating to condtions like repetitive strain injury caused by overuse of computers or 

back pain.

 

Using a combination of movement and muscle manipulation, STR can work to re-educate the nervous system and clear away scar tissue, which can inhibit healing to soft tissues. If soft tissue is free to move in a controlled and separate way, they will facilitate joint mobilization and help maintain the effect of the other treatment.

 

Thompson Drop Technique

Is an advanced full spine, costal and reflex adjusting technique dealing with the analysis and correction of interferences of the spinal column, extremities and their immediate articulations. 

 

Patient’s are firstly examined using a protocol called the Thompson –Derefield leg protocol to help focus where the patients problem may be originating from. From this the patient will fall into one of 5 basic categories and variations that occur in each analysis. These include a rotated sacrum, the lumbar spine, the dorsal spine, the cervical spine and extremities. 

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During treatment the Chiropractor will sometimes use special parts of their treatment tables called drop sections. These safely enable adjustments to be carried out without any excessive force being put through the patient, to aid the practitioner’s adjustments.