Even if you suspect you need chiropractic care and have heard others rave about its benefits, you may have hesitated to schedule that initial consultation and adjustment session — perhaps you worry that chiropractic adjustments will prove uncomfortable. If so, you should know about the distinct advantages of low-force chiropractic adjustments.
The more you understand about low-force chiropractic adjustments, the less intimidated you'll feel about getting the safe, all-natural treatment you need for your chronic pain condition or other health challenges. Take a look at some questions and answers about this gentle approach to chiropractic care.
How Do Low-Force Adjustments Differ From Standard Adjustments?
Traditional chiropractic care revolves around the use of high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust to shift joint components from one position to another. Chiropractors typically apply this thrust through manual adjustments, as in the Diversified technique. Instrument-aided variations include the Gonstead and Drop Table techniques.
The firm, high-speed thrusts used in traditional adjustments work well, but they can prove excessive for some individuals. The sudden joint mobilization and twisting motions exerted on the musculoskeletal system can sometimes prove uncomfortable or create an audible cracking or popping noise that bothers some patients.
Low-force adjustments veer away from the HVLA approach. These techniques tend to rely on special instruments designed to deliver enough force to correct joint alignment problems, but not enough to produce other unwanted effects. Low-instrument adjustments offer greater precision while causing less fatigue for the chiropractor.
Who Benefits From Low-Force Chiropractic Care?
Low-force chiropractic care benefits more than just those individuals who would prefer a more comfortable experience. People with osteoporosis or other degenerative conditions might sustain joint damage from high-velocity, low-amplitude techniques, whereas they can receive low-force adjustments safely and comfortably.
Younger patients also benefit from low-force chiropractic care. Pediatric chiropractors often prefer these adjustment techniques when working on babies and toddlers, since they provide a means of adjusting delicate joints efficiently and without pain. This positive experience can alleviate children's fears about visiting a chiropractor.
People suffering from painful mobility issues may tolerate low-force adjustments more easily than HVLA adjustments. The small, precise nature of these adjustments also makes them uniquely suitable for adjusting areas around a surgical site or treating extremity problems such as frozen shoulder.
What Forms Can Low-Force Chiropractic Care Take?
Low-force chiropractic care can involve a variety of adjustment techniques. One popular option, the Activator technique, relies on a spring-loaded metal tool that can exert quick, tiny amounts of force where needed. The thrust occurs so quickly that muscles don't even have time to tense up in response, improving its effectiveness.
Flexion-distraction offers another means of low-force adjustment. This technique involves a special treatment table. The chiropractor lowers one part of the table, allowing your legs to drop toward the floor while making gentle adjustments to the spinal column. This technique works especially well for treating compressed discs.
Orthospinography accounts as yet another useful form of low-force chiropractic adjustment. This technique focuses solely on the top vertebra of the spine, which attaches to the skull. The chiropractor may use an instrument that delivers its thrust through sound waves for especially fine, gentle adjustments.
What Other Treatments Complement Low-Force Chiropractic Adjustments?
As in traditional HVLA chiropractic treatment, low-force chiropractic adjustments can play a vital role in a larger holistic treatment plan. The holistic approach to healing views each individual as a unique combination of physical, mental, and emotional factors. Holistic chiropractors use multiple techniques to promote whole-body wellness.
In addition to a series of low-force chiropractic adjustments, your customized plan might also include massage therapy, exercises to boost flexibility and strength, soft tissue manipulation, and advanced technologies such as ultrasound or cold laser therapy. Your chiropractor can also educate you on how to live a healthy lifestyle.
If you want to enjoy the full benefits of chiropractic treatment without the twisting, cracking, and discomfort you might experience from standard techniques, come to Holistic Health Center, P.C. We specialize in gentle, low-force adjustment methods while also providing a wealth of other safe, effective treatments. Contact us today.