Restoring Motion and Alignment

Chiropractic has a long history over which time many different doctors have added new ways to analyse and treat the joints of the body. Traditionally, an adjustment is defined as a quick, short thrust to a joint to restore motion and relieve inflammation and nerve irritation. This kind of adjustment is often accompanied by a little pop as the joint releases. You may receive this kind of adjustment seated, standing or lying on your back or stomach. The majority of traditional adjustments are done by hand at Balance Chiropractic, but in some cases we may opt to use a little spring loaded device called an Activator or a drop piece.

Dr. Smith uses the Activator when a client is apprehensive about traditional manual adjusting, there is a lot of arthritis or for the very young or very old whose bones are fragile.

The drop piece is like a little platform that pops up. It is placed under the client's hips with them facing down. The drop piece is adjusted for the clients weight so that a quick thrust on the back will cause the platform to drop about an inch. The sudden deceleration that happens when the platform stops causes force on the lower back. Dr. Smith rarely uses the drop piece unless someone's sacroiliac joints are very stuck. Even then it is a very non-invasive way to create movement in that joint.

Because Dr. Smith has studied many techniques, if you are ever uncomfortable with a particular method, another can be used to fit your comfort level.