Chiropractic Techniques We Use

At our Madrid Chiropractic Clinic we predominately use a few Chiropractic Techniques in our treatments. The main ones are:

McTimoney Chiropractic

McTimoney Chiropractic is a full body Chiropractic Technique that was created in the UK. It uses comparatively gentle adjustments by hand to correct misalignments or joint dysfunctions. In Spain it is comparatively unknown but in the UK it has a wide following due to its success amongst patients and its gentle treatments. Instead of relying on twisting of necks or lower backs the patient lies flat and the adjustment is made using a very rapid gentle force directly on the point that needs correcting.

Activator

One of the most popular techniques throughout the world is Activator. It is a technique that uses a hand held instrument to perform a fast and repeatable force directly onto a point to be adjusted. It is a technique that involves specific muscle movements and checks to discover the  site that needs to be adjusted. It is probably the technique with the most and strongest published clinical research proving its efficacy.

NeuroImpulse Protocol

NeuroImpulse Protocol is a Chiropractic Technique that was developed from one of the leading Chiropractic Paediatricians. It was developed from treating babies where they couldn’t say where they hurt or how things felt. It uses a lot of Reflex testing that helps determine what the problem is. It treats the whole body but I have found it to be particularly good for treating the top of the neck for neck,shoulder, headaches and vertigo.

Impulse Adjusting System

This is another technique that uses an instrument to make the adjustment. The instrument we use is an Arthrostim. It is similar to the activator instrument but is electrically powered and uses gentle vibrating impulses to make adjustments. It has some protocols that I like to use when there is a loss of spinal curves

Sacral Occipital Technique

This is a technique that uses padded wedges to assist in making adjustments. The idea is that by lying on wedges that are unevenly placed, the weight of your body on the uneven surfaces puts a force into your body to realign it. It usually takes minutes of lying on the wedges for your body to make the change but it is a extremely effective treatment for pelvic/sacro-illiac joint problems and sciatica. The technique is a lot more than just lying on wedges but this is the part that everyone recognises.

Non Chiropractic Techniques

I incorporate other manual approaches from time to time that can be beneficial, these are a few of them:

McKenzie - Developed by a Physiotherapist it uses a testing process where different movements are tried to find a exercise that can be beneficial. There is good published research about this technique and I have found it to often be quite helpful with sciatica and disc problems

Mulligan Mobilizations -These joint movement techniques come from a New Zealand Physiotherapist. They are particularly useful in the neck when movement is tight or limited.

Trigger Point Therapy – Painful tight “knots” in muscles that can refer pain to other parts. There are a variety of different approaches to get these points to release and I usually favour showing my patients how to self-treat rather than treat them myself.

Muscle Energy Techniques - A set of techniques that use different positions and muscle contractions to release or ease tight muscles. With painful or restricted necks they can be very effective and are quickly and easily done in the patients home after showing them the appropriate technique.

We use all of these and many other approaches when we are treating  patients. People are so different and the problems they come with often need the application of a treatment plan that is entirely specific for them.