The Activator technique is a specific method that chiropractors use to treat and better stabilize the spine in order to restore proper nerve flow to the body. This technique should only be used by licensed chiropractors or students of chiropractic under proper supervision of a licensed chiropractor. Activator technique focuses on a specific set of protocols that enables the practitioner to identify and treat the appropriate joints which will enable the body to heal itself.
Protocol
The first step in almost any chiropractic physical examination is a detailed analysis of spinal joint dysfunction.This may include an analysis of a patients range of motion such as flexion, extension, rotation and lateral bending exercises done at each vertebral level in order for the chiropractor better understand what level the problem exists at.
Other tests may be done such as X-rays, instrumentation, soft tissue palpation, leg length inequalities, muscle reflex testing and analyzing a patients biomechanics (ways they walk or how they sit in a chair). Not all of these tests are needed in order for the doctor to gain a understanding of which joint or joints need to be adjusted. These are all just helpful tools that chiropractors use regardless of the technique being applied in order to better serve the patients needs.
Adjustment
The activator itself is a small hand held instrument that delivers a high speed low to the patient. It is a painless procedure and is often times utilized on children who have trouble sitting still or elderly may be contraindicated for a manual (hands on) adjustment. The activator enables the doctor to exactly pinpoint the correct site that needs to be adjusted which can be helpful in preventing injury to patients that may have pre-existing conditions such as osteoporosis. These conditions may weaken the bone and this requires a lower force adjustment which the activator delivers.
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