When visiting a chiropractor for the first time, it’s easy to get intimidated by the various chiropractic techniques they may use.
Chiropractic care solves your pain problems in different ways, so your pain will be resolved and never return. Each of the following techniques hits a different source of your pain. From basic spinal treatment to lower-limb care, there is a technique that fits your problem.
Spinal Manipulation
More commonly known as chiropractic adjustments, spinal manipulation is the more well-known type of chiropractic treatment. When a chiropractor gives you an adjustment, he or she adds pressure to certain parts of your spine to realign your bones. Your chiropractor will use this technique in an effort to restore the natural health of your spine and relieve pain.
Chiropractors will use different ways to work on the spine. Some prefer to use more force, while others are much more gentle when handling the delicate bones in your back. There are adjustments that work on any spine, so you can start feeling better sooner.
Extremity Adjustments
Many chiropractic treatments center on your spine and how it affects the rest of your body. However, treatment of your arms and legs is necessary to relieve any muscle and joint pain in those areas. An extremity adjustment includes manipulating your joints or muscles in order to increase your flexibility.
Over time, your flexibility in your knees, elbows, and other joints may decrease, limiting your range and possibly causing pain. An extremity adjustment will loosen up that joint, while re-establishing your nerve connections in the process.
Activator Treatments
Some knee and hip pain is caused by the mere fact that one leg might be a tad shorter than the other. This small difference in length can throw off your alignment, which can cause pain.
Chiropractors use a small device called an “activator” to gently add force to align and even your legs. While the idea of having a device to “even you out” might sound unnerving, the process is a very gentle treatment. This treatment only uses enough force to realign your bones, while not adding any additional pain in the process.
The Gonstead Technique
The Gonstead Technique stems from the idea that the pelvic area is the root of any form of spinal misalignment. If your pelvis is not aligned, more than likely the rest of your body is off-balanced as well and can cause problems.
The Gonstead Technique pays closer attention to the lower extremities and works to align your legs, hips, and lower back so the rest of your body can follow suit. This technique typically uses evaluation equipment like a nervoscope and X-rays to assess the entire spine, especially the lower portions of your back.
These evaluations not just find out if any of your bones are out of line, but also if you have any significant inflammation that may be causing your pain. After the assessment, your chiropractor will work to relieve the inflammation and treat the pain, and then perform an adjustment to set the rest of your spine and to prevent the problem from returning.
Diversified Technique: A Classic Chiropractic Approach
The Diversified Technique is one of the most commonly used by today’s chiropractors. You’ve probably seen it, or even experienced it, if you’ve ever had a chiropractor do that quick thrust that leads to a little “pop” in your spine. That sound isn’t anything breaking—it’s just gas being released from a joint.
What makes this method so popular is its flexibility. Chiropractors use Diversified to target all kinds of issues, from neck pain and headaches to lower back tightness. It’s a hands-on approach that restores movement, improves alignment, and relieves pressure all in one. Of all the chiropractic adjustment techniques out there, this one is a reliable go-to for many practitioners.
The Thompson Drop-Table
Some chiropractic methods focus on precision without as much force. The Thompson Drop-Table Technique is a great example. The chiropractor uses a special table with segments that drop slightly as pressure is applied, where the dropping motion makes the adjustment smoother and easier on your body.
The table is usually best used to target areas like the hips, pelvis, and lower back, and because it’s so gentle, it’s a good option for people who might be nervous about manual adjustments or have conditions that require a lighter touch. In some cases, we see people start to feel better without even realizing they’ve been adjusted.
The Flexion-Distraction Technique
Bulging and herniated discs can cause some of the most intense pains that chiropractors see and may require special care. Flexion-Distraction is one of the chiropractic procedures designed specifically for those cases; this uses a moving table to slowly stretch and decompress the spine.
This technique doesn’t involve any twisting or cracking. Instead, the chiropractor gently moves your spine in a way that creates space between the vertebrae, which helps relieve pressure on the discs and nerves. It’s especially helpful for people with sciatica, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.
Upper Cervical Techniques and Adjustments
There are also chiropractic methods that zero in on one tiny area of the spine—but have a surprisingly big impact. Upper Cervical Techniques focus on the top two vertebrae in your neck, known as the atlas and axis. These bones protect the brainstem and help coordinate a lot of your body’s functions.
Because this part of the spine is so delicate, the adjustments are incredibly precise—and often very light. Some chiropractors use imaging to measure exactly how far things are out of alignment, then apply a gentle correction. These types of chiropractic techniques are often used for headaches, dizziness, or nervous system issues, and they tend to appeal to people looking for a subtle but powerful option.
Instrument-Assisted Adjustments
Some chiropractors prefer tools to hands-on techniques—and some patients prefer that too. Instrument-assisted adjustments, like those done with the Activator or Impulse tools, provide a targeted, consistent force that can be adjusted to suit the patient. These are examples of different chiropractic styles that appeal to people who don’t want manual cracking or twisting.
These handheld devices are designed to mimic the feel of a traditional adjustment but without the same intensity. They’re used for everything from joint pain to neck stiffness to misalignments in the limbs. For children, older adults, or anyone with fragile bones, this can be one of the best types of chiropractic methods available.
Which Technique Is the Best?
You might be wondering: why are there so many different chiropractic techniques? The answer is that no two bodies are the same. Some people need quick, high-velocity adjustments to get things moving again. Others respond better to slow, controlled movements or instrument-based care.
The key differences come down to force, precision, and focus. Some methods, like Diversified or Gonstead, use more manual pressure and are often used on the full spine, while others, like Thompson or Flexion-Distraction, rely on tools and tables to help deliver the adjustment in a gentler way. Then there are the ultra-precise styles, like Upper Cervical, which use highly detailed analysis and minimal touch.
There’s no “best” chiropractic technique across the board. The best one is the one that works for you.
Matching Techniques to Your Needs
Let’s say you’re an athlete. You might benefit from different chiropractic techniques that prioritize range of motion, faster recovery, and joint alignment. You may do well with Diversified adjustments or extremity-focused care that keeps your shoulders, knees, and ankles moving the way they should.
If you’re recovering from surgery or have a more delicate condition—like osteoporosis or chronic inflammation—you might need a softer approach. That’s where Activator methods or Flexion-Distraction often come in. The chiropractor can still address your discomfort without applying much force, which makes the experience less stressful for your body.
Pregnant women can also benefit from specific chiropractic procedures. Techniques like the Webster Method focus on aligning the pelvis and reducing tension in the muscles and ligaments that support the uterus. These types of chiropractic adjustments can ease low back pain and even help create more space for the baby.
Even within one person, needs can shift over time. What works well during an acute pain episode might not be the right long-term strategy. That’s why many chiropractors use a combination of different chiropractic methods to build a treatment plan that evolves with you.
Whole-Body Wellness Through Chiropractic
Chiropractic care is about more than just pain relief. Many of these chiropractic adjusting techniques help improve posture, boost circulation, support your nervous system, and restore natural movement. A well-functioning spine doesn’t just feel better—it sets the foundation for better health overall.
Some practices even pair chiropractic adjustments with soft tissue work, stretching routines, or guided exercises. Others include lifestyle advice, ergonomic support, or nutrition consultations to round out the treatment. It’s not just about “fixing” a back—it’s about supporting how the whole body functions.
When chiropractors have experience with different chiropractic techniques, they can choose the right one at the right time. That kind of flexibility is what makes modern chiropractic care so effective.
Find the Technique For You
Not every technique will work for everyone. While most chiropractors will vouch that their particular chiropractic method is the best one for your whole body, it’s up to you to find what you need.
Some practices will have various chiropractors who focus on a particular area of your body. They will have one that works more with arms and legs, while others focus on different parts of your spine. A practice with multiple options allows you to pick the method you feel is best for your own health.