Treatment Techniques We Use

We use a range of manual therapy techniques to reduce pain, improve function and increase mobility, and at any one treatment session, a number of the techniques below may be used, depending on your diagnosis, suitability and of course, preference.  Statutory regulation ensures that when you see a Chiropractor, they have been extensively trained, examined and insured to apply these treatments in practice.  Annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements ensure that your Chiropractor stays constantly updated in relation to current evidence and research.

Diversified Spinal Manipulation (adjustment)

This is one of the more common type of treatments utilized by Chiropractors globally, and involves the practitioner placing their hands very precisely on the stiff spine or joint, and performing a small but very quick movement in a specific direction, to improve the movement of the joint and its associated ligaments, muscles and nerves. This often results in a ‘cracking or popping’ sound, known as a cavitation – which is no more than a side-effect of the movement.

Spinal and Joint Mobilisation

This applies gentle, rhythmical movements to the joints and associated soft tissue by the practitioner, again using very precise hand contacts.  This is often used to prepare an area for manipulation by warming it up, but is also utilized as an alternative to manipulation for those patients who may not tolerate it.

Activator (Instrument Assisted Manipulation)

This is a non-manipulative method of gently but precisely moving a joint, and ‘activating’ or stimulating the local surrounding nerves and soft tissues, using a small instrument.  This delivers a soft, extremely quick impulse into the muscle or joint.  Current thinking is that this mechanical impulse stimulates local sensory nerves (mechanoreceptors) that give constant real-time information to the brain and nervous system about joint movement and position, which may be ‘sluggish’ due to the local joint and muscle tightness.  This effectively ‘switches’ the sensors back on, allowing for improved local muscle control , and increased range of motion.  I like to describe it to patients as a ‘local software reboot’ for the joint.

Thompson Drop

A method of joint and soft tissue manipulation, utilizing the treatment table as a lever.  The table is designed in segments, which are able to be raised an inch or so individually.  The Chiropractor then applies a very gentle but quick movement into the segment, which drops back down in a controlled manner, no more than an inch.  Whilst being rather noisy, it is a great method when used correctly as very little force is necessary, and the treatment table absorbs most of the movement.  This ‘trapdoor’ type movement transfers a very specific and controlled directional force through the muscles and joints, improving movement and stimulating local mechanoreceptors (sensory feedback nerves).

Pelvic Blocking

This method is chiefly concerned with restoring balance to the pelvis and re-aligning your body and utilises small wedge-shaped blocks, which are placed specifically under the pelvis depending on your condition.  This is very low force and gentle treatment which is often used for patients in severe pain, sciatica and as a method to treat patients who happen to be pregnant.

Soft Tissue Manipulation and mobilization

Various methods are used to work on the muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments, by firmly mobilizing, stretching and using pressure-type techniques, sometimes with movement of the spine, arm or leg. These may be called pressure-point therapy, myofascial trigger point therapy, cross-friction massage, goading and pin-and-stretch, to name a few.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a highly effective and specific soft tissue technique used extensively by Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Osteopaths.  It is a medical version of acupuncture,  using very small acupuncture needles.  It has no connection to Eastern Acupuncture nor Chinese Medicine.  If appropriate, your Chiropractor will palpate (feel) where the muscle has a site of extreme tension (often felt as a painful band or knot) and place the needle gently into it – the needles often go in undetected and are very effective  when patients are in pain and cannot tolerate massage or pressure in the area.

During the process patient may sometimes feel the muscle give a small involuntary twitch, with a brief associated mild ache-type discomfort.  This is usually an excellent sign that the muscle has reacted to the needle in a positive way, with a reflex-type contraction followed by relaxation, improving mobility and blood-flow through the muscle.  Dry-needling may not give instant relief to an area being treated, with side-effect being aching overnight, and in some cases, mild bruising.  Maximum benefit is usually felt and observed after 24 to 48 hours, where the muscle has had a chance to react to the process.  Our Chiropractors at RCC are very well trained in Dry-Needling as part of their degree-course, and well experienced.

IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) (Graston Technique)

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a well-researched form of treatment that enables clinicians to address long-standing soft tissue lesions and fascial restrictions, improving outcomes, especially when combined with appropriate therapeutic exercise. The specially designed stainless-steel instruments used provide a mobilizing effect on the deeper soft-tissues with the aim of restoring pain-free movement and function.

Fascia – the fibrous connective tissue that surrounds our muscles (and organs and bones), responds quite well to IASTM and when used in conjunction with joint manipulation / mobilization and exercise prescription it can be extremely effective. Side-effects may include temporary redness to the area being treated, and in rare cases, mild bruising. For more information visit:

https://kinnective.co.uk/the-science or https://grastontechnique.com/Clinicians/Resources/

Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

ESWT for musculoskeletal complaints is a procedure whereby shockwaves are passed through the skin to the injured area, and is mostly used to treat longer standing tendon issues, such as Achilles Tendinopathy or Plantar Fasciitis.  Extracorporeal means ‘outside of the body’ –  the shockwaves are audible, mechanical, low-energy sound waves, which work by increasing blood flow to the injured area, reducing pain and improving tendon glide. This helps to speed up your body’s natural healing process. You will usually require a course of 3 -4 treatments, 1-2 weeks apart, combined with manual therapy and an exercise prescription, for best results.

Rehabilitative and Stabilization Exercise

Bespoke home or gym-based exercises are prescribed specific to your age, complaint and ability, with the intent of stretching and mobilising stiff areas and strengthening and stabilising weak areas associated with your complaint.  Here at Romsey Chiropractic Clinic we believe in keeping advice and exercise recommendations as simple, practical and relevant as possible – you will never be sent home with 3 sheets of paper and 15 exercises to do.  We have a great tried and tested referral network for Pilates, Yoga, Personal Training, Hydrotherapy and Keep Fit for the Elderly for those needing or looking to do more for their personal health.

Temporary Joint Brace / Orthotic Prescription

We stock a small number of back, elbow, and knee braces for short-term use in minor strains and sprains, and are able to assist in referring for more complicated cases.  Whilst we are able to supply or recommend off-the-shelf orthotics (shoe inserts) for milder cases of foot / gait dysfunction (Pronation, Heel pain, Plantar Fasciitis, heel lifts), we have a good referral system for more complicated cases, and strongly believe that a well-qualified MSK / Sports Podiatrist is far better placed to assess, diagnosis and prescribe custom orthotics in these situations.

Strapping and Taping (Traditional, Kinesiotaping)

Kinesiotape is an elasticated type of tape which is applied directly onto the skin with the intent of influencing joint and muscle function. Depending on your situation, this technique can be used to either support and stabilise (facilitate), or inhibit (tone down) muscle function.  It will not limit movement nor support severely strained or sprained areas, but will rather provide a functional support to an area that may have been worked on during the treatment.  It is usually worn for 3 to 4 days post-treatment provided it does not cause any minor skin reactions, and can be subjected to bathing.  We are also able to tape sprained and strained joints using traditional elastic / rigid tape.