Chiropractic care is a widely utilized approach for addressing issues within the musculoskeletal system. It involves manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, to restore proper joint function and alignment. Many individuals seek a comprehensive approach that extends beyond the spine, known as a full body adjustment. This treatment focuses on optimizing the function of the entire physical structure.
Defining the Scope of a Full Body Adjustment
The term “full body adjustment” distinguishes a comprehensive treatment from the more common routine spinal adjustment. While the spine is always a central focus of chiropractic care, a full body session expands the scope to include the body’s peripheral joints. This means the practitioner assesses and treats areas like the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.
This approach is rooted in the understanding that the body functions as an interconnected kinetic chain. Dysfunction in a joint far from the spine can cause compensatory stress and misalignment in the spinal column, and vice versa. By addressing the entire musculoskeletal system, the practitioner aims to restore balance, improve movement patterns, and reduce strain. This holistic view provides more sustainable relief and better overall function.
Techniques Used in Comprehensive Chiropractic Care
Comprehensive chiropractic care integrates various methods to treat both joints and surrounding soft tissues. Beyond the traditional high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) manual thrusts used for spinal manipulation, a full body session often incorporates specialized adjusting protocols for the extremities. These techniques may include the use of handheld instruments, like the Activator, to deliver gentle, targeted impulses to smaller joints.
Soft tissue therapies are frequently included to complement the joint adjustments. These techniques target the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Methods such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy, or manual muscle stretching may be employed to relax hypertonic muscles and release tension. This soft tissue work helps prevent the surrounding musculature from pulling the newly aligned joint back into a dysfunctional position.
Some practitioners also utilize mobilization techniques, which involve slower, repetitive movements to increase the range of motion in a restricted joint without the sudden force of a traditional adjustment. The choice of technique—whether it is Diversified, Gonstead, or Thompson Drop-Table—is tailored to the specific joint, the patient’s comfort level, and the clinical findings. This combination of joint and soft tissue treatment addresses the mechanical components of the musculoskeletal system.
What to Expect During a Full Body Session
A full body adjustment session begins with a detailed assessment, particularly during an initial visit. The chiropractor gathers a thorough medical history, discusses lifestyle habits, and notes any specific areas of discomfort or past injuries. A physical examination is then performed to assess posture, gait, mobility, and the alignment of the spine and extremities.
A full body adjustment session often takes longer than a standard follow-up appointment (typically 15 to 30 minutes). The initial visit, which includes the extensive history and examination, can last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Subsequent full body visits may extend beyond the standard window to allow time for the necessary extremity and soft tissue work.
During the hands-on portion, the practitioner systematically addresses areas of dysfunction found in the assessment, using specific movements to restore joint function. The session usually concludes with post-treatment guidance, which may involve instruction on rehabilitative exercises, such as targeted stretches or strengthening movements. Postural and ergonomic advice is given to help the patient maintain the benefits of the adjustment and prevent recurrence of issues.
Selecting a Qualified Full Body Practitioner
Finding a chiropractor who specializes in comprehensive, full-body care involves looking for specific post-graduate training that goes beyond the basic chiropractic curriculum. A designation to look for is the Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner (CCEP), which requires the completion of a rigorous, 105-hour, seven-course program. This certification signifies advanced expertise in the biomechanics, diagnosis, and treatment of the joints outside of the spine, including the shoulders, hips, and jaw (TMJ).
The CCEP curriculum covers specialized modules such as upper and lower extremity adjusting, extremity rehabilitation, and soft tissue methods. This training is beneficial for treating complex issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic ankle sprains, or hip pain that has not responded well to spinal adjustments alone. Since CCEPs are relatively few, it is important to ask a potential practitioner about their specific training in extremity adjusting and soft tissue techniques. Inquiring about their philosophy on treating the entire kinetic chain ensures their approach aligns with the desire for a full body adjustment.