Using the Thompson Technique —
How Does It Differ From Other Approaches to Chiropractic Care?
The Science Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic began in 1895 when DD Palmer adjusted the first Chiropractic patient and his hearing was restored. Chiropractors understand that the body has the ability to heal and maintain itself most efficiently when there is no interference or irritation in the nervous system. Many Chiropractic techniques have been developed over the years to locate and correct the cause of this interference – the Vertebral Subluxation. Today there are many wonderful adjusting techniques used by chiropractors such as Gonstead Technique, Diversified, SOT (Sacro-Occipital Technique), Toggle Recoil, CBP, Activator, Logan Basic to name a few.
What Makes the Thompson Technique Unique?
One unique feature of the Thompson Technique is the approach used to determine a disparity in the length of the legs when a patient is lying prone on the table. The patient’s feet are flexed to detect neurological imbalances that give the appearance that one leg is longer than the other. The patient is also asked to turn their head to the right and the left. This analysis helps the chiropractor to determine where and in what order the correction should be made.
For the adjustment itself, the patient reclines on the specialized table, which is adjusted to his or her weight. With the patient’s head supported, the chiropractor applies a high speed thrust, using minimal force. The pneumatically driven table then “drops” slightly to lower the section corresponding to the spinal region being adjusted. This facilitates the adjustment and carries the joint through its normal range of motion, allowing full correction of the segment while applying less force than would be needed without the special drop-table.
Expected Results — Thompson Terminal Point Technique or Drop Table Technique Treatment
The focus of the Thompson Technique is the location and correction of Vertebral Subluxation. Our bodies have the amazing ability to heal when irritation and interference from Vertebral Subluxation is removed in the nervous system by Innate Intelligence. Dr. Thompson knew this very well since his life was saved by Chiropractic care.
One of the most popular of Chiropractic techniques is the Thompson Technique, introduced by Dr. J. Clay Thompson when he developed the first "drop" head piece in 1952. The Thompson Table is based on Newton's First Law of Motion which provides a tremendous mechanical advantage and a low force, high velocity adjustment with minimal discomfort for the patient. The Thompson Technique is both an analysis and adjusting technique for the location and correction of Vertebral Subluxation.