What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractors focus on dysfunctions that can result from irregularities of spinal structure or movement. Hands-on procedures are usually preferred by most chiropractors to determine structural and functional problems. Manipulation is used to promote normal bodily function thus correcting or preventing these structural deviations. Chiropractic "adjustment" refers to a variety of manual mechanical interventions.

 Manipulation is movement of short amplitude and high velocity that moves the joint beyond where patient's muscles could move the joint by themselves but short of ligament rupture.
 
 Mobilization is movements administered by the clinician within physiologic joint space in order to increase overall range of motion.
 

Chiropractors have developed and refined a variety of manual therapies, particularly those known as high velocity and short amplitude. A number of systems have been developed and refined and may be used in a chiropractic session. These include:

 activator technique
 
 applied kinesiology
 
 diversified technique
 
 flexion-distraction technique
 
 Gonstead technique
 
 Sacro-Occipital Technique, or SOT
 
 Thompson terminal technique