Common Chiropractic Adjustment Techniques

Based in San Jose, California, Yola Dabrowski was a chiropractor with an emphasis on patient-centered care in treating back and spinal problems. A graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, she worked closely with her clients to develop nutrition and exercise plans to fit their health challenges. Yola Dabrowski also employed orthopedic testing, neuromuscular rehabilitation, and spinal adjustments in her work with clients.

Various spinal adjustment techniques are used by chiropractors to treat their patients. These techniques aim to relax the pressure on the joints and improve movement in the spinal region. One method of spinal adjustment is flexion distraction, which treats conditions that affect the lumbar region. The technique takes the pressure off of the spinal nerves and increases spinal motion.

Another effective method of spinal adjustment is called Gonstead adjustment. Clarence Selmer Gonstead invented this hands-on technique in 1923 to analyze the spine. Today, chiropractors use the method to treat long-term back pain issues and increase joint mobility.

The direct-thrust technique is another method of spinal adjustment used by chiropractors. Closely related to the Gonstead adjustment, the direct-thrust technique is the oldest and most popular spinal adjustment method. As the name suggests, the direct-thrust technique uses thrust to realign the spine and improve spinal motion.

Similar to the direct-thrust in function is spinal mobilization. This method also aims to readjust the spine and improve joint mobility, but it uses gentler thrusts.