Modern chiropractic includes many different techniques. At last count, there were over 200 in use around the world. However, many, if not most, owe their existence to the ‘granddaddy’ of all chiropractic techniques – the Diversified Chiropractic Technique (DCT).
In this post, we’ll explain what the Diversified Chiropractic Technique is, its origins, principles, techniques, and benefits. We’ll also discuss how it can help with various musculoskeletal conditions
Diversified has been around since the beginnings of chiropractic care in the late 1890s, having been developed by DD Palmer, the founder of chiropractic. He performed the first chiropractic adjustment in 1895 and named the profession as well.
Fun fact: ‘chiropractor’ comes from the Greek word ‘cheirpractos’ meaning ‘done by hand’ and is a direct reference to the profession’s belief in manual techniques and holistic healing performed by the ‘hands’ of a professional.
Since then, Palmer’s technique has become the cornerstone of chiropractic – widely practised, widely taught, and just as widely adapted to suit individual patients and chiropractors. Even its name is a direct reference to its ‘diverse’ range of adjustments and diagnostic methods.
Diversified’s adaptability is one of its strengths as a technique and one reason it has stood the test of time. It is easy to modify to suit the circumstances, and suitable for a wide range of applications and spinal conditions.
Like all good, and enduring, chiropractic techniques, Diversified is very much focused on restoring and maintaining good spinal function and alignment. To achieve this it uses a combination of biomechanical, neurological, and orthopaedic principles to help identify and correct neuromusculoskeletal issues.
However, where various other techniques may use instruments to assist with adjustments, DCT has stayed true to its ‘done by hand’ origins.
Practitioners of the technique still use HVLA, or high-velocity (quick), low-amplitude (short) thrusts, to adjust spinal joints. The aim of the thrusts is to improve the neuromuscular function and mobility of the joint complex in question.
Diversified is also associated with that infamous ‘popping’ noise during an adjustment. It sounds alarming but is just gas being released from the joint!
Like all techniques, a Diversified practitioner will begin your treatment program with a detailed consultation. This will factor in your health history, a physical examination, and possibly diagnostic imaging to pinpoint problem areas.
Also, like chiropractic treatment generally, your treatment plan and sessions are customised to your specific condition and treatment requirements. Your chiropractor will use precise manual adjustments (the hallmark of Diversified) to influence neuromuscular joint function and position sense.
It’s also very likely you will receive lifestyle advice, exercises, and ergonomic tips to improve, support and maintain the benefits of your chiropractic care. This again is very much part of chiropractic’s holistic approach to healthcare. It’s all about the interconnectedness of the body as a whole.
Diversified adjustments are effective for a variety of musculoskeletal issues, and can potentially offer significant improvement for:
Diversified adjustments are often used to help relieve neck pain by improving neuromuscular function and may reduce tension in neck muscles. This helps improve mobility in your neck and head and may reduce stiffness and pain.
Chiropractors help a lot of people suffering from back pain – it’s one of the most common reasons people seek out chiropractic care. Many use Diversified adjustments. The aim of the adjustments is to correct spinal neuromuscular joint dysfunction that might be causing your pain.
If you suffer from cervicogenic or tension headaches and migraines related to spinal dysfunction and muscle tension. Diversified may help reduce their frequency and severity.
Chiropractic adjustments address spinal joint dysfunction and neuromuscular tension; correcting this may also improve blood flow. Migraines are caused by many things and this will be discussed with you by your chiropractor.
Poor rib alignment and rib pain are common contributors to poor quality breathing. Diversified’s targeted adjustments influence the musculoskeletal system of your thoracic spine, improving rib cage function, which may reduce rib pain and improve your breathing.
Techniques like Diversified, with its focus on identifying and correcting spinal misalignments, may help support you with the long-term management of painful chronic conditions.
Athletes and active people frequently use chiropractic care to help with existing injuries and prevent new ones. A correctly aligned spine, rib cage, diaphragm and pelvis help with the development of a balanced core, an essential component of good athletic function, and mobility in general.
From pain relief to improved body awareness as a preventative approach to your healthcare…
Like most species, the human body is a remarkable feat of engineering with all manner of built-in pain management and healing mechanisms. Chiropractic care, and techniques like Diversified, tap into these with the aim of making it possible for your body to start its own healing journey.
What are some of the benefits, and common applications of Diversified?
Chiropractic care in general cares a great deal about providing pain relief. But, rather than the type of ‘temporary fix’ offered by pain medications, your chiropractor is more focused on
Using techniques like Diversified, chiropractors can deliver precise manual adjustments to help correct misalignments that may be irritating or inflaming your spinal nerves, and causing pain. This pain may be localised, like neck and back pain.
Or it may be contributing to a painful condition elsewhere in your body.
Diversified also focuses on improving the mobility of your joints and neuromuscular system to increase their range of motion. This may help make daily activities more comfortable and less painful.
Good spinal function contributes to a healthier nervous system and that in turn improves your overall health and wellbeing.
Chiropractic care may help reduce strain and overuse injury risks by ensuring good musculoskeletal balance and harmony.
As holistic healthcare, Diversified Chiropractic is a natural alternative to pain relief that focuses on correcting underlying sources of pain and encouraging your body’s pain self-management pathways.
The Diversified Chiropractic Technique is the pillar of chiropractic. It’s the foundation from which many other techniques have evolved, and remains an essential tool in the profession’s treatment arsenal.
It’s also stayed true to its origins as a manual technique and can be adapted to suit different requirements and treatment methods.
It uses short sharp but controlled high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrusts that target individual spinal joints with the aim of pushing them gently back into alignment.
Ewell Chiropractic
9A Cheam Road, Ewell, Epsom KT17 1SP
Our practice is next to the central car park in the Ewell village if you travel by car. And just a 10-minute wander from both train stations in Ewell.
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