Osteopathic Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation, also called spinal manipulative therapy or manual therapy, combines moving and jolting joints, massage and exercise. It’s designed to relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function. It’s often used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and headache pain.

Today, spinal manipulation is used in both Western and traditional Asian medicine. Forms of manipulative therapy have been used for thousands of years in many parts of the world, including Indonesia, Asia, India, Russia, and Norway.

Doctor named Andrew Taylor Still developed the theory that diseases were caused by displaced bones and muscles interfering with the body’s circulatory system. He turned to spinal manipulation as a non-drug, holistic method of correcting body imbalances and restoring health. In doing so, he became the father of modern osteopathy.

Daniel David Palmer developed the theory that diseases were caused by spinal misalignments, or subluxations, that block the transmission of the body’s own healing power through the nervous system. His theories would eventually form the basis of chiropractic medicine.

In spinal manipulation, the practitioner uses their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a specific joint. Patients often hear popping noises, like when you crack your knuckles.

In spinal mobilization, practitioners use less forceful thrusts and more stretching. They will sometimes use an “activator,” which is a small metal tool that applies force directly to one vertebra.

Many people get relief from these spinal adjustments, but in our opinion it’s just a part of holistic approach to patient we use in our clinic.