Chiropractic Techniques

primary adjusting techniques we use are:

Sacro Occipital Technique Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) is a specialised, comprehensive, gentle and innovative technique of Chiropractic founded in 1925 by Dr De Jarnette, It is so named because of the relationship between the sacrum (base of the spine) and the occiput (base of the skull).

One of the functions of the sacrum is to pump Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF) from the base of the spine back up the spinal canal to the brain and throughout the nervous system. The occiput also helps to pump CSF. The minute rhythmical motion that circulates the CSF is essential to optimal health – CSF effectively acts as the circulatory system of the brain and spinal cord.

The pelvis forms the foundational support of the human skeleton. It supports the upper body right up to the skull, and enables us to transfer our weight to our legs. The spine holds our body upright, supports all of our organs and provides anchor points for our muscles. It also protects our delicate nervous system. The nervous system controls our body, and can only function normally when our structures are balanced and our pelvis is stable. SOT chiropractic care facilitates this balance for optimal health.

An important distinction of SOT is the use of indicators. Each adjustment has a sign or signal that the we use to know when and where to adjust. For example, muscle tension at the knee may indicate the pelvis needs correction, and connective tissue fibers at the base of the skull (called occipital fibers) indicate different vertebra in the back or spine may be in need of an adjustment. This also tells us on the next visit if the correction has been completely or marginally effective. From these indicators, we design a different adjustment set on each visit, listening to the body each time.

It takes study to master this method of care, but it makes for an effective, precise adjustment without relying exclusively on x-rays. In more technical terms, restoration or maintenance of health is accomplished through specialised integrated procedures including functional chiropractic neurology and biomechanics, nutrition, soft tissue techniques and the diagnosis and treatment of the craniosacral respiratory mechanism (CSRM).

The techniques utilised in SOT promote optimal innate healing mechanics for the spine, pelvis, cranium, organs, extremities, nervous system, brain and muscles. These techniques promote balance, neurological integrity and integrated function of the organ structure and neurological mechanism. Interestingly, SOT practitioners are most often the chiropractors for other chiropractors in their communities.

The Three Categories
The category system of diagnosis and analysis developed by Dr De Jarnette provides your SOT chiropractor with a logical, balanced approach to your care, leading to the most appropriate treatment approach for you. Your body will adapt to misalignments. This adaption or failure to adapt produces different "categories", which may be progressive. Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Technique (CMRT) is an effective approach to dealing with the issues that are a common cause of chronic subluxation.

Chiropractic Craniopathy
Craniopathy is the study of manipulative techniques which apply to the cranial vault (skull) to enhance the flow of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) within the cerebral meningeal system. Throughout the years many therapies have been applied to the cranial vault in an effort to relieve pain and human suffering. Dr. Major Bertrand De Jarnette was an Osteopath, Chiropractor and the developer of Sacro-Occipital Technique.

He developed a system of spinal and cranial manipulations that corrects and prepares the body to receive the appropriate adjustment to optimize correction while minimizing unwanted reactivity and adverse reactions. Craniopathic manipulations and diagnostic procedures are designed to evaluate and correct distortions in cranial vault position and restrictions of cranial vault movement. We use a number of methods to determine the type and location of cranial misalignment and the effect it is having on the intracranial membranes and the flow of CSF.

The human cranium or skull is composed of numerous bones that create a cavity or a cavern that encases the brain. The dura mater encases the inside of the cranial vault and separates the brain into compartments. Cerebral spinal fluid is contained within this dura and flows around the brain and spinal cord. The cerebral spinal fluid or CSF, is a clear fluid that is reproduced 3 to 4 times per day. CSF has many functions: it serves to clean the brain, protect the brain, nourishes the brain and provides the electrolytes that allow the brain to carry out its electrical functions. Without adequate cerebral spinal fluid flow and reproduction, the nervous system cannot function. Cranial motion is a function of the pliability of the cranial vault influenced by the diaphragmatic motion of respiration, muscular contractions, and circulatory flow, which together affect what is referred to as the primary respiratory mechanism (PRM). A secondary influence on the flow of cerebral spinal fluid and cranial motion, which can be palpated externally, is generated by the expansion and contraction of the glial cells of the brain and is referred to as the cranial rhythmatic impulse (CRI). Although very subtle, these motions can be palpated by a trained practitioner and abnormalities within the flow of cerebral spinal fluid and cranial distortions can be diagnosed through visual observation, palpation of the cranial sutural system and palpation of the cranial pulsations.

Cranial manipulative therapy by a certified SOT practitioner can produce significant changes in the cranial vault and the craniofacial structural relationships. A wide variety of symptoms can be relieved when the appropriate cranial adjustment strategy is employed. Some adjustments of the cranium can be performed by hand contacts on the cranial vault externally, and some cranial corrections must be made intraorally by specific contacts used to facilitate restoration of optimum cranial respiratory function and flow of CSF. In either case, the adjustments are always very gentle, and patients find the treatments to be very relaxing and comfortable.
Other Techniques Used:

OTHER TECHNIQUES USED:

Activator: This technique is one of the most popular "low force" approaches to chiropractic in the world. The reason this is the case is because we use an adjustment instrument called The Activator Methods® Adjusting Instrument, which is a handheld spring-loaded tool that delivers a consistent low-force, high-speed thrust. This is extremely beneficial for elbows, wrists, knees, and other joints of the body.

Applied Kinesiology muscle testing or muscle response testing: In general, the applied kinesiologist finds a muscle that tests weak and then attempts to determine why that muscle is not functioning properly. The practitioner will then evaluate and apply the therapy that will best eliminate the muscle weakness and help the patient. Therapies utilized can include specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian therapy, clinical nutrition, dietary management and various reflex procedures.

Thompson: This technique was developed by Dr. J. Clay Thompson and has completely evolved into one of the most utilized approaches because of its precision and results. With this being said, this technique is extremely unique because it requires the use of an adjusting table that actually moves with the adjustment, allowing for decompression of the disc and a natural healing approach for those who are suffering from pain. This is a specific chiropractic technique that uses mechanical and hands-on manipulation / adjustment which is primarily utilized to treat cervical and lumbar disc herniation, non-disc spinal disorders, and to increase mobility of spinal joints.