If you're thinking about seeing a chiropractor, you might picture someone cracking your back. But modern chiropractic care offers many more options than most people know about.
Chiropractors mainly use hands-on adjustments of your spine, but they have over a dozen different techniques they can use to suit your needs. Most treatment plans use a mix of approaches based on your symptoms, health history, preferences, and comfort level.
Australian Doctors of Chiropractic study for 5+ years at university and must register with AHPRA, meaning they work within one of the world's most regulated healthcare systems.
With this in mind, let's explore the different techniques they use to address your needs.
The 3 main types of chiropractic techniques
Manual adjustment techniques
Manual chiropractic adjustments (also called spinal manipulation) are hands-on treatments where your chiropractor uses careful pressure to help your joints move better.
Diversified technique (HVLA adjustment) is the most widely used method around the world. HVLA stands for high-velocity, low-amplitude – this means a quick, short and shallow movement targeting a specific joint. The aim is to help the joint move normally again and reduce irritation in nearby muscles and tissues. You might hear a popping sound which sometimes happens when there is gas released from the joint. Note that you don't necessarily have to hear any sound for the adjustment to be successful. Your chiropractor will perform checks to ensure the joint has been freed.
Gonstead technique is very precise. Your chiropractor will carefully check your posture, feel how your joints move, and sometimes use X-rays to find the exact spot that needs treatment. The adjustments are highly targeted.
Thompson Drop-Table technique uses a special table with parts that drop down slightly when your chiropractor adjusts you. This means less force is needed, which many people find more comfortable. We use this technique at Rasura Chiropractic, it's very popular with our patients.
Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) and pelvic blocking uses soft wedges placed under your hips in certain positions. This method uses your body weight and gravity to help align your pelvis and spine. It's often used when you need a gentler approach.
Flexion-distraction (Cox technique style) is a gentle technique often used for lower back pain, disc problems, and leg pain like sciatica. Your chiropractor uses a moving table that helps take pressure off your spine and improve joint movement.
Joint mobilisation is like manipulation but gentler. Instead of a quick movement, your chiropractor uses slow, repeated movements. This is often used when the aim is to improve movement with less discomfort, especially as an alternative to HVLA adjustments.
Instrument-assisted techniques
Instrument-assisted techniques use a hand-held tool to give a very quick, gentle push to your joints. These methods work well for people who:
- Wishes to have a gentler treatment
- Are very acute and not able to relax enough to have a manual adjustment
- Need lighter treatment (like older people or those with osteoperosis)
The Activator Method uses a spring-loaded tool that gives a controlled push to a specific joint. Because it's so quick, your muscles don't have time to tense up.
Impulse and other computer-assisted tools give a controlled push at the same strength each time. Some tools give quick, repeated taps over an area, while others focus on one specific spot.
These techniques are often used on the neck and mid-back because they're precise and gentle.
Soft tissue methods
Soft tissue techniques work on your muscles, tendons, and fascia (the thin tissue that covers your muscles). Two-thirds of Australian chiropractors regularly incorporate soft tissue techniques. 1Source: PubMed
Chiropractors often use these methods together with joint adjustments because tight muscles can cause stiffness, pain, and movement problems. Dr Lillie Lines is also a qualified myotherapist who foccuses alot on relaxing the soft tissues before any adjustments are performed .
Myofascial release uses steady pressure and gentle stretching to relax tight fascia. When this tissue gets tight, it can limit how you move and cause pain.
Trigger point therapy works on tender knots in your muscles that can cause pain in other parts of your body. Your chiropractor might apply steady pressure, use repeated small presses, or combine pressure with movement.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) uses special tools that slide over your muscles to help with tightness, scar tissue, and old injuries. You might hear this called "Graston-style techniques".
Stretching and rehabilitation support often goes hand-in-hand with soft tissue work. Your chiropractor will show you exercises to improve movement, posture, and strength. This helps the treatment last longer between visits.
Understanding the treatment experience
What causes the popping sound?
The popping or cracking sound happens when gas bubbles are released from the fluid in your joint. It's just like when you crack your knuckles, it is not your bones cracking.
This sound doesn't mean the treatment is or isn’t working. Many techniques that work well don't make any sound at all.
Is it safe?
Studies show that chiropractic care is very safe for muscle and joint problems. One large study tracked nearly one million spine adjustments and found only two serious issues: both were broken ribs in elderly women with fragile bones. Serious problems happen in fewer than 1 in 100,000 treatments. 2Source: PubMed
If you're concerned about safety, these numbers show that the risks are very low.
Are there side effects?
You might have some mild side effects, but these are usually minor and don't last long. You may feel a bit sore in the treated area, similar to the feeling after a workout. You might also feel tired, get a headache, or have some discomfort in other areas.
These effects typically disappear within 24 hours. They're more common when you first start treatment as your body gets used to the changes.
When should you avoid chiropractic treatment?
Your chiropractor knows when certain adjustments aren't safe for you or need to be modified. You shouldn't have treatment if you have recent broken bones, active cancer in your spine or body, a serious infection, or certain serious nerve problems.
Talk to your doctor first if you have nerve symptoms that are getting worse, a recent serious injury, or signs of blood vessel problems like changes to your vision, severe dizziness, or difficulty speaking. This is why a thorough history and examination are completed and are very important before treatment.
Qualifications and regulations in Australia
To become a registered chiropractor in Australia, you need to complete a 5-year university degree. Currently, five universities in Australia offer these approved programs. Students also spend a full year treating patients at university clinics.
Registration and keeping up to date
All chiropractors must register with the Chiropractic Board of Australia through AHPRA. To register, they must:
- Pass all health and criminal history checks
- Working with children check
- Have professional insurance
- Continuing personal development hours to completed every year
This means your chiropractor keeps learning about new research and the best ways to help you.
Mixing different treatments
Many Australian chiropractors now mix treatments together to achieve better results. They combine spine adjustments with exercises, muscle work, and other methods.
Dry needling
More Australian chiropractors are now using dry needling. They complete extra training courses approved by the Australian Chiropractors Association to learn this skill.
Dry needling works well alongside adjustments. It treats tight knots in muscles, relaxes tight muscles that might stop adjustments working well, and helps with muscle strains and overuse injuries.
Dr Lillie Lines, who practices at our Alexandra Headland clinic, is experienced with dry needling as she is a fully qualified myotherapist too.
Working with other health professionals
Chiropractic care often works best when it's part of a bigger health plan. Chiropractors often work with other health professionals to help you get better.
Physiotherapists and chiropractors work well together:
- Chiropractors usually focus on acute care , chronic care, disease management the joints and muscles of the whole body, serious spine problems, and hands-on treatment.
- Physiotherapists usually focus on setting exercises, retraining movement, and building strength.
Many people get the best results when they combine hands-on treatment with a personal exercise plan.
Osteopaths also do hands-on treatment for muscles and joints. If you're already seeing an osteopath, your chiropractor can work with them to avoid repeating treatments and make sure everyone knows what's being done.
GPs and medical specialists help when you need scans, medicine advice, or more tests. A good chiropractor will send you to them if your symptoms suggest something other than a muscle or joint problem.
Podiatrists, exercise physiologists, and massage therapists may help when foot problems, fitness, or muscle tightness are part of your issue.
The main goal is the same for everyone: helping you move better, feel less pain, and do more in a safe way.
At Rasura Chiropractic Centres, we have good relationships with GPs – who refer to us under the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (also known as EPC Care Plan) – and other allied heath practitioners on the Sunshine Coast.
Conclusion
Modern chiropractic care is more than just "back cracking". It includes many research-backed methods: hands-on adjustments, gentler tool-based treatments, and muscle work that helps your joints and muscles work together better.
Australian chiropractors are well-trained and closely regulated. They complete 5 years of university and do ongoing training to stay registered. Many partner with physiotherapists, osteopaths, GPs, and other professionals to help you recover faster and stay healthy.
Do you have ongoing pain, stiffness, headaches, or jaw problems and live on the Sunshine Coast? One of our experienced chiropractors can check what's wrong and suggest the best treatment for you. Book your appointment today.
