A Summary of Different Chiropractic Techniques

At Port Jefferson Chiropractic we offer a wide variety of techniques to keep you healthy and pain free.  Have you ever wondered why you go into specific rooms when you visit Dr. Horney's office?  We have two different types of chiropractic tables which offer customized adjustment possibilities.

Have you thought about the different types of chiropractic adjustments?  Doctor Michael Horney evaluates each patient who comes to Port Jefferson Chiropractic and chooses from the following techniques to treat each individual.  Have you wondered why you may need a special adjustment table and others may not?  Do you think that chiropractic only helps back problems.  There are techniques to relieve neck pain, headaches, leg pain and shoulder pain.  Feel free to ask the team at Port Jefferson Chiropractic if you have any questions about your specific treatment.

Diversified This type of adjustment is a combination of different hands-on techniques to adjust the entire spine.  Often you will hear the "popping" sound with this type of technique. The "popping" sound called cavitation is actually gas bubbling out of the fluid normally found in the joint space.  This noise let's us know that there was movement in the joint.

Cox (Flexion-Distraction) or Manual Spinal Decompression This technique involves traction or stretching of the spine to alleviate pain and pressure on the spine.  The Doctor uses the table itself to help the doctor to stretch out the patients back.  It's also known as a manual decompression technique.  It's very gentle and especially helpful with disc problems.


Applied Kinesiology This is a method that pays attention to the alignment of bones and muscles trying to balance both using massage and sometimes acupressure to restore muscle function.  It's considered an energy technique - also very gentle.


DNFT or Directional Non-Force Technique This is a way of using pressure on the spine and then checking leg length to see how well the adjustment has worked.


Gonstead This is a specific type of adjusting and analysis of the spine - similar to the diversified technique in terms of the "popping" noise you hear.


SOT or Sacro-Occipital Technique A gentle technique using wedges placed strategically to let the weight of your body actually make thee spinal correction.


Activator An instrument used to adjust the spine.  Very gentle and precise as opposed to a hands-on adjustment.


Soft Tissue Techniques - Manual Mobilization Hands-on technique used to massage the muscles, reduce trigger points, increase blood flow and reduce metabolic waste products that build up in tight muscles.