Chiropractic techniques matter. Let’s review the top four chiropractic techniques that Dr. Justin Felsman primarily uses at Adjustin Chiropractic in Quincy, IL: Diversified, Activator, Thompson Drop-Table, and Flexion-Distraction. Which one he uses depends on your specific condition, your comfort level, and what your exam actually shows. He also incorporates physical therapy modalities, Graston Technique, Active Release Technique (ART), spinal decompression, intersegmental traction (IST), and therapeutic exercise as part of a complete care plan.
Why the Technique Your Chiropractor Uses Actually Matters
Not every chiropractic adjustment looks or feels the same. Some involve a quick, hands-on thrust. Others use a small instrument or a specialized table instead of direct manual force. Dr. Felsman chooses his technique based on what your exam and history show, not a one-size-fits-all routine. Below is a straightforward look at the four techniques he uses most often.
1. Diversified Technique
Diversified is the most widely used chiropractic technique and the one most people picture when they think of an adjustment. It involves a quick, controlled, hands-on thrust applied directly to a joint that isn’t moving the way it should. This is typically what produces the audible “pop” patients associate with getting adjusted, which is simply a small release of gas within the joint, not anything breaking or shifting out of place. Diversified can be applied throughout the spine and in the extremities, and it’s often the go-to technique when a joint needs direct, precise correction.
2. Activator Technique
The Activator technique uses a small, handheld, spring-loaded instrument instead of a manual thrust. It delivers a quick, low-force impulse to a specific spinal segment, correcting joint restrictions with a fraction of the force used in a manual adjustment. There’s no twisting, and no popping sound. This makes it a good option for patients who prefer a gentler approach, or in cases where a manual thrust isn’t the best fit for the patient’s body or comfort level.
3. Thompson Drop-Table Technique
The Thompson technique uses a specialized table with segments that drop slightly, by a fraction of an inch, the moment a thrust is applied. That small drop uses gravity to assist the adjustment, which means less manual force is needed to create the same correction. Patients lie down on the table while Dr. Felsman applies a precise, targeted thrust to the area that needs it. It’s an effective way to deliver a correction with less overall force than a standard manual adjustment.
4. Flexion-Distraction
Flexion-Distraction uses a specialized table that gently flexes and stretches, or “distracts,” the spine while Dr. Felsman applies precise, hands-on pressure to specific segments. This creates a gentle traction effect rather than a direct thrust. It’s particularly useful for disc-related issues like herniated or bulging discs, since the gentle stretching motion takes pressure off compressed discs and nerves. It’s also commonly used for patients dealing with sciatica, where nerve compression in the lower back is the underlying issue.
Beyond Adjustments: The Rest of Dr. Felsman’s Approach
Adjustments are only part of how Dr. Felsman treats patients. Depending on what your condition calls for, care at Adjustin Chiropractic may also include physical therapy modalities, Graston Technique, and Active Release Technique (ART) for soft tissue and scar tissue restrictions, spinal decompression for disc-related pain, intersegmental traction (IST) to loosen and prepare the spine before an adjustment, and targeted exercises to support your progress between visits. This combination is especially common for patients dealing with back pain or recovering from sports injuries, where soft tissue work and rehab exercises often make as much of a difference as the adjustment itself.
Ready to Find Out Which Technique Is Right for You?
Every care plan starts with a real exam, not a guess. Schedule a visit and Dr. Felsman will walk you through exactly what your body needs.
