A chiropractic activator is a tool used by chiropractors. It is a small hand-held instrument used to deliver a an impulse to the spine, to help restore motion to the targeted vertebrae or joints. It was designed to be an alternative method to the manual techniques chiropractors employ to manipulate the spine.
Traditionally chiropractors use different body positions and movements accompanied by a manual or hands-on pressure to compel vertebral subluxations back into place. A vertebral subluxation is when the spine or a portion of the bones in the spine are out of place. By putting them back where they belong — called an adjustment — the body is able to work more efficiently.
One problem with chiropractics is client fear. Often, to achieve a proper spinal realignment, the client must move into several different positions. Some of the manipulations not only require a position change but a movement as well. Proper positioning, smooth motion in a specific direction and adequate manual pressure is then needed to move the bones back into place. This client-assisted technique can cause increased stress to the client. The client proceeds to tense up, making the manual manipulation much more difficult and in some instances, causes pain in the client.
The chiropractic activator is a little instrument that fits into the palm of the hand. It minimizes the need for clients to change positions, as spinal manipulations can be performed by lying on the belly. The activator resembles a tiny pogo stick except that the “foot rest” is now the place to wrap the fingers around and the “hand rest” is now a palm rest.
The chiropractor places the tip of the chiropractic activator against the area of the back to be manipulated. He then adjusts the angle of the intended pressure. The chiropractor applies pressure to the activator by squeezing his hand together. The instrument then delivers a precisely-measured gentle thrust in a specific direction thus coaxing misaligned bones back into place.
The chiropractic activator has undergone 35 years of research and testing. It has also been found to be a very effective tool to be used on the misaligned joints of the jaw, shoulders, wrists, knees and ankles. Over the years, it has been considered the safest of the chiropractic techniques. It is a tool that can be safely used on clients of any age.