The adjustment techniques used are comfortable and effective for all types of patients including pregnant women, children, athletes or seniors.
Dr. Nichole is certified in Activator, a technique that uses a handheld instrument to provide a gentle fast thrust. Manual adjustments are assisted with the use of a drop table providing a safe and controlled adjustment.
Subluxation
At Giesken Chiropractic, we feel it is important to educate the patient on what we are doing and why. When we perform a chiropractic adjustment to a subluxation, our intent is to affect or correct the alignment, motion and/or function of a vertebral joint.
A subluxation, in the chiropractic definition, is simply an abnormal alignment of a vertebrae in the spine. And when the spine is out of place, it can affect our entire nervous system. Common symptoms of a subluxation may include trouble moving, pain in the back or neck, or even problems with other functions of the body. A subluxation can occur for a variety of reasons often related to any of the 3 T’s:
- Thoughts
- Traumas
- Toxins
There are many examples of each of the 3 T’s such as stress, a fall or repetitive trauma like poor posture and improper nutrition. When our body is functioning at optimum health it can adapt easily to the 3 T’s; otherwise, something as common as having a hectic day, picking up fast food and slouching on the drive home can cause a subluxation.
Manual Adjustments
Manual adjustments are delivered on a Drop Table. Individual cushions or “drop pieces” along the table surface support each area of your spine until the chiropractor delivers a thrust. When the thrust is performed, drop pieces give way, reducing the force needed to adjust your spine.
Instrument-based Adjustments
The Activator is a gentler approach to adjustments.
It’s designed to deliver a controlled, light, and fast thrust eliminating unnecessary strain on the patient. When any force (including chiropractic adjustments) occurs to the body, the muscles in the area of the force automatically contract to help protect the body. This can cause added strain to the body.
Since the Activator is many times faster than manual adjustments, the adjusting force is delivered before the body can react. This makes adjustments more comfortable and effective. The focused thrust also makes the Activator ideal for the joints of the body including wrists, knees, and elbows.
And since it’s highly accurate and controlled, the Activator method can be used on patients of all ages. Dr. Nichole will assess vertebral misalignments with a system of body mechanics, neurological reflexes, and leg length tests. This protocol allows her to make the judgment of what to adjust and what not to adjust.
