Dr. Jackson's Chiropractic Techniques

• Applied Kinesiology
• Activator Methods
• Diversified Technique
• Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT)
• Neural Organization Technique (NOT)
• Thompson Technique
• Logan Basic Chiropractic Technique

Applied Kinesiology

Applied Kinesiology (A.K.) is a diagnostic system using muscle testing as a functional neurological evaluation. The methodology is concerned primarily with neuromuscular function as it relates to the structural, chemical and mental physiologic regulatory mechanisms. AK, which originated within the chiropractic profession, is an approach to clinical practice, with multidisciplinary applications.

So what does that really mean?

The word kinesiology comes from the Greek: kinen meaning "movement," and -ology, meaning "study." Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a form of diagnosis that uses muscle testing as a feedback mechanism to examine how a person's body is functioning. Since AK draws together elements from many diverse therapies, it provides a unified, interdisciplinary approach to health care. A skilled AK diagnosis will determine the best kind of therapy for the patient.

Your health involves chemical, structural, and mental factors—in AK, this is called the triad of health. When a person isn't well, one or more of these factors is out of balance.

Since each factor influences the others in an interactive way, a thorough AK diagnosis evaluates all of them to find the cause of the problem. A health problem on one side of the triad can affect the other sides. For example, a chemical imbalance can affect mental symptoms. AK gives the practitioner the tools to direct appropriate therapies toward the proper side or sides and bring them back into balance.

In general, the applied kinesiologist uses standardized diagnostic testing as well as muscle testing to evaluate the patient's condition. The muscle tests can be used as a tool to determine the appropriate therapy that is needed to restore normal function. Therapies can include specific joint manipulation or mobilization, myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, clinical nutrition, dietary management, reflex procedures, postural stretching, and others.

Learn more about A.K. at the International College of Applied Kinesiology web site.

Activator Methods

The Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique (AMCT) has evolved from 50 years of empirical study and 30 years of clinical research. It uses the latest advances in orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examinations to detect joint dysfunction in the spinal column and extremities to improve patient care. AMCT uses the Activator Adjusting Instrument to give consistent low-force, high-speed chiropractic adjustments. Over 31,000 doctors have been trained in AMCT and 2,500 doctors are Proficiency Rated, making AMCT the most widely used technique worldwide; a testament to its safety and efficacy.

Diversified Technique

• This is a quick technique that generally results in the popping sound as the chiropractor makes the adjustment. It is one of the most widely used forms of manipulation in the chiropractic field.
• Diversified is the most common technique used by chiropractors. It is a manual adjustment technique used to correct misaligned or subluxated spinal segments of the neck and back.
• Diversified is a technique that is taught at most major chiropractic colleges. It is primarily the use of the practitioner's hands to make the spinal correction. Many times an audible snap or pop will be heard as the correction is made.
• This is the technique style that most people associate with chiropractic, using a small, quick thrust to increase movement in a specific joint and often creating a 'clicking' sound as the joint surfaces separate. The 'clicking' or cavitation to give it it's correct name, is caused by decreased pressure inside the joint creating a bubble of gas, which 'clicks' as it bursts. It is probably the single thing that most patients report disliking about their treatment, not because it is particularly painful but because they just don't like the noise.
• Diversified adjustments can be the quickest, most efficient way to get movement happening in a joint and is a very important treatment style.

Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT)

SOT and SOT Cranial is a method of chiropractic care that identifies the cause of your symptoms. SOT practitioners understand the mechanics and neurology of the body in an organized and practical way.

An SOT doctor knowledgeably analyzes your body to determine underlying spinal, cranial, and organ-related problems.

The SOT practitioner determines the cause of your problems and corrects it using very specific and effective methods. SOT doctors integrate large amounts of information, using several different techniques and approaches simultaneously, as SOT integrates easily and seamlessly with other chiropractic systems.

SOT patients are also routinely given guidance regarding home care, diet, and nutrition.

Patients seeing SOT practitioners can relax and know that they are in the best hands in chiropractic. SOT doctors understand your problems and use a systematic and comprehensive approach to chiropractic care.

In a nutshell, SOT practitioners are thinking chiropractors willing and able to deliver quality care.

Neural Organization Technique (NOT)

Neural Organization Technique (NOT) is a non invasive, neurologically correct, kinesiologically based treatment protocol designed to specifically organize or reorganize the central nervous system. It is demonstratable, repeatable, predictable and reversible. It is designed to find and correct any deficit or deficits in the survival reflex systems, a.k.a.: Feeding, Fight/Flight, Reproduction and the Immune Systems.

Thompson Technique

We will focus primarily on the Thompson Technique since it is my specialty and I was privileged to be an understudy for many years with Dr. J. Clay Thompson the originator of the technique.

The Thompson Technique utilizes a "Segmental Drop Table" to enhance the motion force imparted towards the segment or area to be adjusted. Dr. Thompson introduced the concept of adding motion by inventing a headpiece that would drop away as the adjustive thrust was applied to the vertebral segment. He was granted a patent in 1955 on his concept and thusly was born the Palmer-Thompson drop headpiece. Since the new idea was such a success Dr. Clay then went on to invent a table with drop pieces for adjusting the dorsal, lumbar and pelvic area. This came about in 1957 and from there the rest is history. Today there are numerous manufacturers of drop-piece tables used around the world.

The "Segmental Drop System" takes advantage of the spine's inherent design of the joints in order to move the spinal segment in the direction that will improve the motion of the segment with the one above and below. It just makes good sense that since the spinal joints face front to back and have an incline that slopes more naturally backwards that we can effect increased motion by applying an adjustment from P to A, (Posterior to Anterior) and with an inferior to superior line of correction. The majority of the spinal adjusting utilizing the Thompson Technique has the patient lying prone. (face down.) This is the basis for Dr. Clay's theory of proper spinal adjusting and the driving force that lead him to invent the drop table.

Logan Basic Chiropractic Technique

This technique treats the muscles that control spinal balance in order to release this tension. The proper leverage, applied ever so lightly at the right spot, will cause the entire spine to move towards balance. This method is similar in principle to that used to change a flat tire. The proper leverage of a car jack will allow a comparatively small person to elevate a heavy car right off the ground.

Before treatment begins, the doctor analyzes the patient's spine while he or she stands in front of a plumb line. Further examination may also be made with the patient lying face up and/or face down on the table. Then, with the patient lying face down, the doctor places a very light pressure on a pre-determined "leverage spot" on the sacral bone in the low back, employing the same principle described in using a car jack. This spot is held for 10 to 15 minutes while the doctor lightly rubs the back muscles with his other hand, coaxing them to release tension.