Chiropractor Advanced Proficiency Activators: What Are They?
Chiropractors use a wide range of interventional techniques to help treat pain, and one of these is known as the Activator. Harrisburg Family Chiropractic in Harrisburg, SD, offers this technique and others to help mobility and injury recovery.
What Is the Activator Method?
The Activator Method is an adjusting procedure that uses a spring-loaded handpiece, which allows the practitioner to "push" against a pre-loaded spring rather than directly against the patient. The pressure used depends on the patient's tolerance and ranges from the practitioner's hand weight to approximately 1 kg. The spring-loading mechanism and small contact surface of the Activator instrument causes a very small drop in the average pressure during an adjustment and thus reduces the risk of soft tissue damage.
Dr. Frederick Carrick developed this hands-on, low-force adjusting system at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minnesota. It is now practiced by chiropractic physicians worldwide and is an accepted form of treatment by the World Chiropractic Alliance.
How Does This Method Work?
The Activator Adjusting Instrument is a spring-loaded mallet that fires a disc-shaped adjusting instrument at the exact point of contact on the spine to deliver a non-forceful, non-manipulative thrust. Some of the benefits of using the Activator Method include:
- Elimination of the force applied to the spine by the practitioner, which has been reported to cause damage to the spine.
- Ability to pinpoint the exact location of a spinal dysfunction and remove it with pinpoint accuracy.
- Ensures the correct vertebrae are adjusted, not those above or below the target area.
- The ability to deliver a high number of adjustments to a patient because less time is spent on each adjustment.
- The ability to deliver an adjustment to the vertebrae.
Types of Proficiency
Basic proficiency means that a chiropractor can use the Activator to treat patients, but not on every type of patient. Advanced proficiency means that a chiropractor can use the instrument on every type of patient.
Is It Suitable for Both Kids and Adults?
If your Harrisburg chiropractor suggests using the Activator on you during your course of treatment, it is important to make sure he or she is certified, no matter if it's a pediatric chiropractic adjustment or one for an adult. Ask if the use of the Activator is covered by your insurance
Contact a Chiropractor Today
At Harrisburg Family Chiropractic, we have chiropractors certified in advanced proficiency activators, ready to help increase your mobility and well-being. For an appointment with our Harrisburg, SD, chiropractor, call 605-767-7463 today.