ADJUSTMENTS/ MANIPULATION The adjustment made by the chiropractor consists of a high velocity, short lever arm thrust applied to a vertebra, which is often accompanied by an audible release of gas (joint cavitation). The audible sound is caused by the release of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, which releases joint pressure (cavitation). The sensation is usually relieving, though minor discomfort has been reported (that usually lasts for only a short time duration) if the surrounding muscles are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic procedure. There are times when joint cavitation or cracking does not occur and this is often due to either significant muscle splinting or the patient may not be adequately relaxed during the chiropractic procedure. At times like this, it is sometimes best for the chiropractor to apply ice, have the patient rest, or do electrical stimulation and massage prior to attempting spinal manipulation. Dr. Hedendal is trained and certified in SOT (SacroOccipital Technique), a chiropractic procedure that utilizes pelvic blocks, which are leather-covered wedges, that carefully and specifically placed under a patients pelvic bones, to let gravity and body weight gently and specifically move the pelvis and spine back into alignment. He utilizes "Activator technique", that incorporates a small rubber-tipped thrusting instrument, that makes gentle- yet extremely specific- adjustments. This is a great technique for very young, osteoporotic, or our older, more fragile patients. |
