Techniques
Dr Lauren is proficient in many techniques and can help find the best technique for you. Some people prefer the traditional manual adjustments where you might hear audible “pops.” This is simply gas being released from joints that have excess pressure built up. These adjustment are completely safe (even for your neck!). Other people enjoy the low-force adjustments delivered by instruments like an Activator or Arthrostim. Optimal Wellness Chiropractic offers a wide variety of treatment options that are sure to fit the desires of most patients. Below you will find a brief description of these techniques. Please contact us if you would like more information!
Applied Kinesiology
Arthrostim
Cox Flexion Distraction
Diversified
Logan Basic
Sacro-Occipital Technique
Thompson
Webster Technique
Applied Kinesiology
Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that evaluates structural, chemical and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing with other standard methods of diagnosis. Dr Lauren finds a muscle that is unbalanced and then attempts to determine why that muscle is not functioning properly. She then works out the treatment that will best balance your muscles. Treatments may involve specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian and acupuncture skills, clinical nutrition, dietary management, counselling skills, evaluating environmental irritants and various reflex procedures.
Arthrostim
The Arthrostim instrument works with the natural feedback cycle of the nervous system. It delivers a rapid series of controlled thrusts. These thrusts create nervous system stimulation to the brain which can help reset dysfunctional muscular and skeletal patterns. Dr Lauren use this instrument to mobilize joints of the spine and extremities and for acute muscular spasms as a way to increase muscular metabolism to release muscular contraction. Since this technique utilizes an instrument to deliver the adjustments, no cracks or pops are typically heard. This is the perfect technique for those that prefer to not be “cracked.”
Cox Flexion Distraction
Cox is a gentle, non-surgical, hands-on chiropractic procedure that focuses on one vertebral motion segment at a time. Using a specialized table, Dr Lauren delivers a “stretch” into the low back and hips. During this highly specific treatment, motion is gently put back into the spinal joints and discs which greatly reduces pressure on the nerves, discs, and joints, therefore reducing pain significantly. It is typically used to treat disc herniations and bulges and is a highly effective and safe alternative to back surgery. It is also appropriate for failed back surgery patients who still experience pain.
For more information on Cox Technic visit www.coxtechnic.org
Diversified
This is the most common technique used in chiropractic and is what most patients are used to receiving. These adjustments entail a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust into a joint. These manual adjustments used to correct subluxations, often result in cavitation (the popping noise heard when pressure is released from the joint). The popping noise heard during the adjustment is completely safe and is a normal reaction in the body when gas is released from any joint (just like when you “pop” your knuckles). This technique can be used to treat many joint in the body. Diversified adjustments are often the quickest, most efficient way to get movement happening in a stuck joint.
Logan Basic
This technique treats the muscles that control spinal balance in order to release this tension. The proper leverage, applied ever so lightly at the right spot, will cause the entire spine to move towards balance. This method is similar in principle to that used to change a flat tire. The proper leverage of a car jack will allow a comparatively small person to elevate a heavy car right off the ground.
With the patient lying face down, the doctor places a very light pressure on a pre-determined “leverage spot” on the sacral bone in the low back, employing the same principle described in using a car jack. This spot is held for several minutes while the doctor lightly rubs the back muscles with his other hand, coaxing them to release tension. “Cracks” and “pops” are not typically heard during Basic adjustments, making it a phenomenal technique for those that prefer more gentle adjustments. This is also a wonderful technique for pregnant moms, infants, children, and the elderly.
Sacro-Occipital Technique
Sacro-Occipital Technique or SOT, is a systematic and comprehensive approach to chiropractic care that identifies the cause of your symptoms by re-organizing and correcting neurological patterns. SOT is similar to Cranio-Sacral technique in the foundation of the work lying with the base of the skull and upper spine (Occipital) and the base of the spine (Sacrum). SOT doctors integrate large amounts of information, using several different techniques and approaches simultaneously, as SOT integrates easily and seamlessly with other chiropractic systems. SOT is a very gentle technique that is highly effective for those that are experiencing any pain or symptoms or wishing to achieve a higher level of nervous system, endocrine and immune function.
Thompson
The Thompson Technique is a variation of the Diversified technique that uses a special table with several segments called drop pieces. The drop pieces assist in the motion of the thrust which minimizes the force used during the adjustment, making it more comfortable for both the patient and the doctor. Cavitation, or “popping”, of the joint may or may not occur. The majority of the adjustments are performed with the patient lying face down.
Webster Technique
The Webster Technique is defined as a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nerve system and facilitates biomechanical balance in pelvic structures, muscles and ligaments. This has been shown to reduce the effects of intrauterine constraint, allowing the baby to get into the best possible position for birth. This technique is a safe means to restore proper pelvic balance and function for pregnant mothers.
In expectant mothers presenting breech, there has been a high reported success rate of the baby turning to the normal vertex position. This technique has been successfully used in women whose babies present transverse and posterior as well. It has also successfully used with twins. Any position of the baby other than ROA may indicate the presence of sacral subluxation and therefore intrauterine constraint. At no time should this technique be interpreted as an obstetric, “breech turning” technique.
For more information visit the ICPA website.
