Our techniques

The chiropractors at Inverurie Chiropractic Clinic employ a wide range of techniques for each individual case. Below you'll find a brief explanation of the most common chiropractic techniques in use today.

Manipulation

Working on all the joints of the body, concentrating particularly on the spine, chiropractors use their hands to make gentle, specific adjustments (the chiropractic word for manipulation) to improve mobility of the joints, efficiency of the nervous system and release the body's natural healing ability.

Trigger point
The primary purpose of trigger point therapy is to reduce the pain that results from hypersensitive muscles. Trigger points are identified by gently pressing on the surface of the skin, sensing the texture of the underlying muscle.

A trigger point is like a knot the size of a pea, buried deep in the muscle tissue. It is made up of lactic acid, a normal byproduct of muscular activity, which sometimes gets trapped in the muscle as a result of physical, chemical or emotional stress.
 
Activator Technique

The activator is a small handheld spring-loaded instrument which delivers a small impulse to the spine. It gives no more than 0.3 J of kinetic energy in a 3-millisecond pulse and the aim is to produce enough force to co-activate mechano-receptors in the vertebrae, but not enough to cause harm.^[1]  It is extremely gentle and safe to use even in the elderly, where osteoporosis may be present.

[1] Fuhr, Arlan W.; J. Michael Menke (February 2005). "Status of Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique, Theory, and Practice". Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 28 (2): e1–e20. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.01.001. PMID 15800504. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0161475405000023. Retrieved 2008-08-18.

Drop table
This technique makes use of specialised drop piece mechanisms in the table to assist the adjustment. Individual cushions or "drop pieces" located along the table support each area of the spine until the thrust is given. Each drop piece then gently gives way, reducing the pressure needed to move a specific spinal segment.

Additional therapies
Our practice employs other very gentle techniques including Cranio-Sacral Therapy and techniques specifically developed for pregnant women and children. Several of our chiropractors have a special interest, training and experience in prenatal and post-natal care. This, along with sleeping advice, exercise recommendations and advice about the best positions to adopt to support the back, provide excellent support to help cope with the changes the body undergoes during pregnancy.

We also offer a bespoke foot arch support evaluation (orthotics) and dry needling (a technique that uses acupuncture needles to treat tense muscles also known as myofascial trigger points).