Chiropractic treatment techniques
[1] There is no evidence that chiropractic spinal adjustments are effective for any medical condition, with the possible exception of treatment for lower back pain.
Using angles that are measured from specific X-rays, claims are made that vertebral subluxations are found and need to be corrected.
The device is categorized as a mechanical force manual assisted (MFMA) instrument which is generally regarded as a softer chiropractic treatment technique.
[20] The AMCT involves having the patient lie in a prone position and comparing the functional leg lengths.
The chiropractor treats problems found in this way moving progressively along the spine in the direction from the feet towards the head.
[22] Another confounding factor is that simply moving the two legs held together and leaning them imperceptibly to one side or the other produces different results.
A few low-quality studies have suggested that the activator may be as effective as manual adjustment in treatment of back pain.
[25] Graston Technique (GT) is a trademarked therapeutic method for diagnosing and treating disorders of the skeletal muscles and related connective tissue.
[29] However, the Graston Technique has not been rigorously scientifically tested and its evidence basis and assumptions are considered questionable at best.
[31] The insurers Aetna,[33] NHS Leeds West CCG,[34] North Dakota Department of Human Services,[35] and The Ohio State University[36] cover other chiropractic techniques but exclude KST from coverage because they consider it to be "experimental and investigational.
[37] The technique focuses on hands-on adjustment and is claimed to expand "standard diversified technique" by removing rotation from the adjusting thrust and implementing additional instrumentation including X-rays, Gonstead Radiographic Parallel, a measuring device to undertake specific biomechanical analysis of the X-ray, and the development of Nervo-Scope,[38] a device said to detect the level of neurophysiologic activity due to the existence of vertebral subluxation based on changes in skin temperature.
[41] Trigenics is a neurological-based manual or instrument-assisted assessment and treatment system[42] developed and patented by Allan Oolo Austin.
[45] For acute low back pain, low quality evidence has suggested no difference between real and sham spine manipulation,[46] and moderate quality evidence has suggested no difference between spine manipulation and other commonly used treatments, such as medication and physical therapy.
[57] A 2008 review found that with the possible exception of lower back pain, chiropractic manipulation has not been shown to be effective for any medical condition.
[citation needed] Relative contraindications, such as osteoporosis are conditions where increased risk is acceptable in some situations and where mobilization and soft-tissue techniques may be treatments of choice.
[63] While safety has been debated,[3] and serious injuries and deaths can occur and may be under-reported,[4] these are generally rare and spinal manipulation is relatively safe[46] when employed skillfully and appropriately.
[63] Weak to moderately strong evidence supports causation (as opposed to statistical association) between cervical manipulative therapy and vertebrobasilar artery stroke.
