7 Chiropractic Adjustments for Optimal Well-Being

According to historians, the origins of chiropractic care date back as early as 2700 BC and 1500 BC. The chiropractic profession, however, started to take shape in the 19th century. While certain chiropractic techniques, such as manipulation, have been used since the late 1800s, chiropractic care has evolved significantly over the years.

Today many chiropractors in Singapore adopt diverse chiropractic techniques and therapies to provide relief and care. If you would like to learn more about the chiropractic techniques used in chiropractic care in Singapore, you are in the right place. This article will cover seven important chiropractic adjustments that are commonly used by these practitioners.

Chiropractic adjustments

Chiropractic care involves a very safe and holistic approach to diagnosing and providing relief from several conditions that affect your body, especially that of the neuromusculoskeletal system.

Chiropractic adjustments, also known as chiropractic manipulation or spinal manipulation, refers to the application of pressure on the spinal cord and joints. Chiropractic treatments may be performed manually by their hands or by using specific tools.

The goal of chiropractic care in Singapore is to enhance movement, reduce pain and nerve irritation, and improve overall health and well-being.

7 most common types of chiropractic adjustments used in Singapore?

Before we go over the different types of adjustments utilised by chiropractors in Singapore, let’s look at why a number of different adjustments or manipulations are needed.

The reason is quite simple – every person is different, and so are their needs and expectations. The goal of the manipulation, the type and severity of the injury or condition, as well as the individual’s general health and pain tolerance, will all be taken into account when choosing the ideal chiropractic adjustment for each person.

1.  Spinal manipulation

This is also known as spinal mobilisation or manual therapy and is commonly used by both physical therapists as well as chiropractors in Singapore. Spinal manipulation involves a combination of stretches and thrusts to activate the joints and enhance function.

With this gentle joint manipulation, patients can achieve more movement with less pain. In addition, this method can be used to re-align specific spinal segments which help to reduce inflammation and pressure on the joints. Spinal manipulation can also be used to manage a range of acute and chronic conditions, including headaches, neck pain, backache, sciatica, arthritis and much more.

2. Diversified technique

This technique is also commonly practised by chiropractors in Singapore and is carried out for three main purposes – restoration of the spinal alignment, enhancement of movement and joint dysfunction repair. The diversified technique is performed by placing pressure on the affected joints. The infamous “popping” sound that arises from this approach occurs due to gas being released from between the joints. 

This method helps to restore circulation and alignment while relieving tension around the impacted areas. The diversified technique is commonly used for individuals suffering from headaches/migraines, misaligned joints, neck pain, shoulder stiffness, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) pain, lumbar disc herniation, whiplash and certain sports injuries. It is typically adopted by chiropractors in Singapore when patients come seeking immediate relief.

3. Gonstead adjustment

The Gonstead adjustment is beneficial to assess and diagnose spinal issues that are restricting the body’s proper alignment, function and movement. While it is generally administered with patients lying down on their sides, it can be performed in the sitting position as well. It is a safe hands-on technique that effectively reduces inflammation and pain along with a quick recovery rate.

The Gonstead technique is usually applied to manage and provide relief for a number of conditions, such as headaches, insomnia, fatigue, TMJ disorders, hypertension (high blood pressure), certain digestive issues, seizures, and subluxations. Furthermore, your chiropractor in Singapore may use this adjustment in conjunction with specific investigations and tools, including X-rays, Nervoscopes, and thermographic instrumentation.

4. Activator method

This chiropractic adjustment involves the use of a small handheld device known as an ‘Activator’, which is commonly used to transmit gentle impulses to the joints or spinal segments. This device works so quickly that the patient receives the impulses before their muscles can react and tense up.

The tone of the device can be adjusted as necessary and is used to provide relief for a large number of conditions, including migraines, backaches, joint stiffness and pain, neck pain, and various neurological disorders.

5. Thompson drop-table technique

As the name implies, this chiropractic technique comprises a specifically constructed table that has padded platforms to enable the ‘drop mechanism’. What occurs during this treatment is a complete spine adjustment involving a dropping technique.

When your chiropractor in Singapore applies a quick thrust, the patient drops a fraction in their position. This method enables the adjustments to be administered with low force and high velocity as well as low amplitude. The Thompson drop-table technique can be used to help with spinal misalignments, scoliosis, disc herniations, posture issues, sciatica, and various sports injuries.

6. Flexion-distraction treatment

This method also involves a treatment table to ‘flex’ and ‘distract’ the spine using very gentle and rhythmic movements. It is a low-force adjustment that can relieve spinal pressure off the impacted joints as well as reduce symptomatic disc injuries that are commonly associated with back and leg pain.

A majority of patients consider the flexion-distraction technique to be a comfortable treatment experience, and most chiropractors use it in Singapore to manage sprains, strains, stiffness, neck pain, leg pain, arthritis, lumbar disc injuries, scoliosis and even spondylolisthesis, which occurs when one vertebral body slips out of place.

7. Spinal decompression

While most chiropractors in Singapore may consider this to be more of a technique than an adjustment, it is an important chiropractic treatment that plays an impactful role in reducing spinal pressure and pain.

In this treatment, the spine is carefully stretched to allow healthy regulation of components like water and oxygen into the vertebral discs and throughout the spine.

Spinal decompression therapy typically takes around 15 to 30 minutes per session, but additional treatment sessions may be required depending on the patient’s health and the severity of the condition. This therapy is beneficial in the management of spinal issues such as disc herniation, sciatica, radiculopathy (spinal nerve root injury), degenerative disc diseases, and spinal stenosis (narrow space around the spinal cord).

Spinal decompression can also be used to manage neck pain, backaches, and other conditions like facet syndrome (arthritis-like spinal condition), as well as osteoarthritis and many other conditions.

Are you experiencing issues with joint pain, stiffness, and discomfort? Would you like to get relief for a neuromuscular condition that you may have? Whether you are suffering from constant pain or suspect that you may have a spinal injury or a condition that is causing you to struggle, do not hesitate to reach out to our chiropractor experts in Singapore.

At One Spine Chiropractic, you will be treated with a lot of care and respect, and you can ensure that all your treatment needs will be met.