Difference between Adjustment and Manipulation

Adjustment and Manipulation

With manipulation, a force is introduced into multiple segments, with the sole intention of “mobilizing” the area. There is no care taken when isolating specific joints or vertebrae.

The “manipulator” offers everyone the same “aspirin.” Each patient is manipulated on their right side and then on their left side of the lumbar area, then they are positioned at the height of the patient’s stomach and all the vertebrae are pushed from bottom to top, and finally, they go to the neck and manipulate it from one side to the other. These manipulations make many patients “feel good”, but this approach usually results in a short-term relief, because there was no attempt and no specific correction. In some cases, excessive movement of the joint or joints that should not have been manipulated causes new pain or instability.

A SPECIFIC manipulation is called Adjustment.

The adjustment involves a detailed examination, conducted through a functional assessment by the doctor. A postural study, a thermographic examination, and an X-ray are considered minimally necessary to determine the best way to specifically reduce the Subluxation.

Here you can see some tests used to diagnose your problem

The X-ray provides the information to accurately assess the quality of the structure when adjustments cannot be made and to provide the prognosis to the patient. X-rays tell the story and the phases of a patient’s subluxation, whether it is acute or chronic, by the absence or presence of degenerative changes.

Doctors of Chiropractic obtain their degree by training for 8 years, specializing in the Nervous System, the Spine, and mastering the art of Spinal Adjustment.

Adjustment or manipulation, only the result determines which to choose

• Manipulation: is the tool of Osteopaths, physiotherapists, and massage therapists
• Adjustment: is the tool of Chiropractic Medicine

Make a first visit with your Doctor of Chiropractic, licensed in the USA, and you will see the difference.

More information Marc Bony, DC licensed in the USA in 2001