Chiropractic treatment techniques

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Chiropractors use their version of spinal manipulation (known as chiropractic adjustment) as their primary treatment method, with non-chiropractic use of spinal manipulation gaining more study and attention in mainstream medicine in the 1980s.[1] There is no evidence that chiropractic spinal adjustments are effective for any medical condition, with the possible exception of treatment for lower back pain.[2] The safety of manipulation, particularly on the cervical spine has been debated.[3] Adverse results, including strokes and deaths, are rare.[4][5]

There are about 200 plus chiropractic techniques, most of which are variations of spinal manipulation, but there is a significant amount of overlap between them, and many techniques involve slight changes of other techniques.[6]

According to the American Chiropractic Association the most frequently used techniques by chiropractors are Diversified technique 95.9%, Extremity manipulating/adjusting 95.5%, Activator Methods 62.8%, Gonstead technique 58.5%, Cox Flexion/Distraction 58.0%, Thompson 55.9%, Sacro Occipital Technique [SOT] 41.3%, Applied Kinesiology 43.2%, NIMMO/Receptor Tonus 40.0%, Cranial 37.3%, Manipulative/Adjustive Instruments 34.5%, Palmer upper cervical [HIO] 28.8%, Logan Basic 28.7%, Meric 19.9%, and Pierce-Stillwagon 17.1%.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Francis_RS_2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ernst-eval was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ernst-adverse was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ernst-death was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference WHO-guidelines was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Chapter 10 - Modes Of Care And Management". Canadian Chiropractic Association. Archived from the original on 2013-12-21.
  7. ^ "Chiropractic Techniques" (PDF). American Chiropractic Association. August 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 6, 2008.