When seeking chiropractic care, the office can seem a bit odd if you have never visited before.  There are many devices and tools that might seem out of place.  Chiropractors use a variety of tools and devices to promote the body’s natural systems in self-healing.  Don’t be intimidated when you visit the chiropractor.  Feel free to ask questions and keep an open mind about new tools and therapies with which you may be unfamiliar with.

Chiropractic Care is a Natural Healing Option

Traditional doctors generally focus on the ailment.  Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on improving maximum body function as related to the spine and specific body structure. Thus, keeping the overall philosophy in mind is helpful when visiting your chiropractic care facility.  Benefits of chiropractic care include:

•        correcting alignment problems
•        decreasing/alleviating pain
•        improving function
•        strengthening and toning muscles
•        restoring balance

Tools and Equipment Used in Chiropractic Care

There are different types of tools and equipment that can be foreign to patients who have only visited more traditional doctors.  Don’t be intimidated by the different atmosphere. Some of the tools and equipment you will find are:

• Chiropractic Adjustment Tables
• Chiropractic Adjustment Tools
• Electrical stimulation
• Full Body Vibration Plate
• Foam Rollers

Chiropractic Adjustment Tables

A flexion-distraction table offers chiropractors the ability to position a patient from standing to lying down with the push of a button.  Parts of the table drop away, allowing your doctor to control the amount of force used during an adjustment.  Essentially, gravity does some of the work during the adjustment.  There are stationary tables used for adjustment, but often these electronic, movable tables allow chiropractors to move patients for an individualized adjustment based on specific problem areas of the spine.

Chiropractic Adjustment Tools

Activator

This little hand-held adjusting instrument may look like a mini pogo stick but it allows the doctor to administer targeted force to the vertebra without affecting the muscle or surrounding tissue.  Adjustments are made without muscle resistance allowing a better more precise spinal alignment.

ArthroStim

This is another similar tool. It looks like a small gun with different attachments for different purposes while adjusting.

Electrical stimulation

E-stim may sound painful and scary, but it’s not. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.  A TENS unit applies electrical current through electrodes placed on the skin offering pain relief to the specific area. It can be applied with varying frequencies, from low to high.  This allows for the patient to indicate the need for more or less based on individual need.

Full Body Vibration Plate

This device can come in different forms.  Some a simple platforms that patients stand upon, while others have the platform and handrails for safety.  The idea, however, is simple.  The flat plate vibrates.  These vibrations travel up the body, stimulating better muscle strength, coordination and circulation.  It has even been shown to improve functioning for patients with cerebral palsy.

Foam Rollers

These rollers are non-invasive cylindrical shaped tools that patients can use to manually work out muscle stiffness and soreness.  A roller can be positioned underneath the body while the person rocks back and forth.  A doctor or even another friend or caregiver can also use rollers to move back and forth over a painful area to alleviate soreness and improve muscle strength and tone.  

Closing Thoughts from Dr. Tali

When visiting the chiropractor, it is important to shift your thinking to a wellness mindset.  The goal is to help patients restore optimal functioning to enjoy life to the fullest.  To meet this goal, your doctor may use a variety of tools and techniques.  Keep an open mind and ask questions.  At Radiant Health Chiropractic, we are happy to listen fully to your concerns, answer any questions, and join you on a journey of positive health and wellness. 

In wellness,

Dr. Tali