Technic and Practice of Chiropractic

by Joy Maxwell Loban

As the student progresses in the art he finds himself occasionally guilty of errors which mar, in some degree, the efficiency of his work. These may arise from unconscious modification of the technic first learned or from unconscious repetition of some necessary modification demanded by a special peculiarity in one or more cases.

This section is intended to furnish the proper pre-conception and also to serve as a monitor to adjusters who, by reference to the precepts herein set down, may discover and remedy their own errors. It is not intended to furnish sufficient education to warrant practice without clinical instruction, which is unwarrantable, but rather to accelerate the education which practice alone can furnish.

Object of Adjustment

The vertebral subluxation being an abnormality of relation between vertebrae, it is obvious that its correction must be a return of normal relation. This can only be accomplished by bringing about a change of relative position. Movement of a section of the spine composed of several vertebrae is not, in the true sense, an Adjustment. It is the single vertebra which must be moved.

The movement should be one calculated to bring the vertebra to its normal position in the most direct manner possible. Such a movement should be used as will reverse the direction of the forces which subluxated the vertebra. It should be applied to the transverse or spinous processes, or to the lamina, as is sometimes done in the case of the Atlas, according to the kind of subluxation. Different subluxations require different handling. Cases vary. Select the move best suited to the case. This can be determined most properly by correct palpation which fixes in the mind of the adjuster the position of every part of the vertebra, its relation to its fellows, the points of greatest nerve impingement, etc., all of which should suggest the best method for correction.

The prime object of adjustment is the removal of impingement from nerves.

Transmitted Shock vs. Thrust

The movement used in adjusting has been variously described. Many writers and teachers have used the term “thrust” to describe the movement of the hands, and the term is correctly applied to the movement used by many Chiropractors. But a careful study of the methods of applying force in use among the most successful adjusters, those who have attained the greatest results with the slightest percentage of failures and a minimum of pain to the patient, discloses the fact that the chief element of their adjustment is transmitted shock.

The hand is held in close contact with the vertebra to be adjusted and the arms and shoulders describe such movements as to deliver the required amount of force with the slightest possible change in the position of the hands. The vertebra bounds away from the contact hand. In the delivery of a thrust the hand would follow the vertebra, forcing each portion of the movement. The real effect of a thrusting motion, since the hand cannot enter the body as a sharp instrument would, is that of pushing. Pushing neither subluxates nor adjusts vertebrae so readily as does a rapidly applied shock.

Let us illustrate with a common experiment in physics. Suspend a number of ivory balls by cords of equal length in such a manner that each is in contact with its fellow and all are in a straight line. When the balls are properly adjusted a straight line should connect their centers. Hold one end ball firmly in the hand or with an instrument which renders it absolutely fixed. Then strike sharply with a light hammer. The balls will all remain stationary except the one on the opposite end which will fly off to a distance exactly measurable according to the force of the blow. How does this occur?