Extremity Adjusting Technique

Do you stand on your feet long hours, do repetitive tasks that involve lifting, bending or other movements? How about sit at a desk job focused on a computer for hours on end? What about engaging in regular activity at home, outside or at a gym. If you answered yes to any of these activities you have likely experienced joint pain on occasion.

Say you injured your spine or an extremity during this activity. If the spinal column is injured this can cause the extremities to adapt and problems with the extremities develop. If you injure or sprain an extremity joint directly, then left untreated, spinal imbalances may develop. So there is a fundamental relationship between the health of the spine and the extremities.

The principle foundation of Chiropractic is spinal adjusting. The stability of the spine is interdependent on the stability of the extremities. If you have a balanced spine in good alignment and still have pain, discomfort or dysfunction, then it is likely areas of the extremities are out of balance. Likewise, if extremities out of balance and not moving through their normal range of motion, then the tissues around the joint (muscles, tendons and ligaments) must change function as well.

Spinal adjustments will not fix a misaligned extremity and an extremity adjustment will not fix a spinal misalignment.  As it goes, having both a properly aligned spine and extremities will allow the body to reach optimal health.

When adjusting joints outside the spine is considered extravertebral adjusting or extremity adjusting technique. Extremity adjusting technique can be traced back to the beginning of chiropractic started by D. D. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. It was part of instruction at the Palmer School of Chiropractic. Most major techniques systems in chiropractic today incorporate extremity care.

In the late nineteenth century many Chiropractors developed started developing extremity adjusting techniques over the decades. By the late 20th century extremity adjusting has expanded considerably. All Chiropractic colleges today confirm extremity adjusting techniques are taught as part of the curricula. Almost every state (Arizona included) has extremity care within the scope of a licensed chiropractor.

Many of the developments of extremity adjusting technique over the decades can be contributed to well-known Chiropractors who have developed specific chiropractic adjusting techniques. Some of these doctors include Major Bertrand DeJarnette (Sacro-Occipital Technique), Clarence Gonstead (Gonstead Chiropractic Technique), Hugh Logan (Logan Basic), and others.

Among the more recent efforts to fine tune extremity care include Doctors of Chiropractic Mitch Mally and Kevin Heron, who instruct chiropractors across the globe on extremity adjusting technique, adjusting from cranial bones to fingers and toes.

Dr. Kevin Heron wrote many of the extremity adjusting books used by students and instructors alike in chiropractic colleges. He also founded the Council on Extremity Adjusting (CEA) which helps train chiropractors to “assess, diagnose and treat root causes to recurring pain in the spine and extremities”. Some of these conditions include Tennis Elbow, TMJ Dysfunction, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Shin Splints, Sprain/Strains of Extremity Joints, Abnormal Gait Biomechanics and much more.

Our two Chiropractors here at Reed Chiropractic is trained in extremity adjusting technique and have years of experience helping patients.  If you have or have had a problem with an extremity joint speak one of our doctors on your next visit to evaluate a potential problem. If you do not get treatment to extremity joints that are out of balance, then your body will compensate. This compensation could lead to more problems, ultimately limiting the results you receive with chiropractic care.

Call us today at 480.785.1355 or email us to schedule your appointment!