Frequently Asked Questions | Thompson Technique Foundation

FAQ & General Information

Do you have questions? Would you like some general information about Dr. Thompson and the Thompson Technique? See these frequently asked questions below.

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How is the Thompson Technique different from other Chiropractic techniques?

The Thompson Technique includes both a leg check analysis and adjusting procedures. The technique is performed on a Thompson Table (drop table) that was developed by Dr. Clay Thompson.

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What are the Thompson Five Categories?

The Five Categories include Cervical Syndrome (CS), Bilateral Cervical Syndrome (BCS), Positive Derefield (+D), Negative Derefield (-D), Exception Derefield (X-D)

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What conditions/ disorders/diseases does Thompson Technique treat?

The Thompson Technique is not used to treat any conditions, disorders, diseases. The Thompson Technique was created to locate and correct Vertebral Subluxation. Dr. Thompson understood the body's Innate ability to heal and believed" the doctor walks in with the patient." The Thompson technique does not rely on symptoms and medical tests, but instead, the leg check analysis allows the patient's body to show the doctor where to adjust. The correction takes place once the drop piece 'hits bottom' and the patient's Innate Intelligence takes the adjustive force to correct the Vertebral Subluxation.

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Can the leg check analysis be used with tables that do not have a drop mechanism?

Yes, a DC could use the leg check analysis to determine where to adjust and use any adjusting procedures that they wish. The technique works best on the Zenith Thompson 440 Adjusting Table, however.

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Can pregnant patients be adjusted prone on the Thompson Table?

Yes, the pelvis piece raises so that the patient can lay prone very comfortably and be adjusted according to Thompson Technique procedures or Logan Basic Technique.

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Does the Thompson Technique use X-Ray as part of its analysis?

Dr. Thompson took X-Rays on all of his patients. He did not use the X-Rays as part of his analysis, however, felt it was important to know "what not to adjust." Dr. Thompson expected to see positive changes on post X-ray. For the upper cervical area, Dr. Thompson adjusted patients using Toggle Recoil and used X-Ray analysis for getting listings. He even invented an X-Ray head clamp so doctors could get more accurate films.

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Can other Chiropractic techniques be used on the Thompson Table?

Yes, when Dr. Thompson developed the full spine drop table, both he and Dr. BJ Palmer believed this new principle of the drop mechanism would allow for techniques that have not yet been imagined. Many of Dr. Thompson's students have gone on to develop their own techniques on the drop table. Some of these include Dr. Vern Pierce and Glenn Stillwagon, Dr. Joe Stucky, Dr. Alan Brady, and Dr. Terry Brady. Dr. Clarence Gonstead's brother Mert utilized the Thompson Table and created an adjusting technique on the table as well. As a foundation, we believe many great techniques are yet to be developed on the Thompson Table.

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How is instrumentation/Thermography used in the Thompson Technique?

Dr. Thompson used instrumentation in his office and was a supporter of Drs. Glenn Stillwagon and Dr. Vern Pierce when they developed the DTG. He was very excited about the Visitherm II that Drs., Glenn and Kevin Stillwagon developed and thought every DC should read the book Segmental Neuropathy. In the early days, Dr. Thompson used the NCM and pattern work. With the DTG, doctors were also able to look at segmentally hot and cold areas. The science has shown that the goal in thermography scans should be reaching thermal symmetry within .5 degrees C as well as eliminating segmental hot and cold bands greater than 1 degree Celsius.

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Can Thompson Technique be used on children and elderly patients?

Yes the table has a "weighing" system where the drop pieces are set just slightly heavier than the patient's body weight. This allows for a gentle, yet effective adjustment for patients of all ages.

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Can Toggle Recoil be performed on the Zenith Thompson 440 Adjusting Table?

Yes, the Thompson Table works very nicely for Toggle Recoil.

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Can any Thompson Technique adjustments be done without the Thompson Table?

The Thompson Technique includes a seated occiput lift and a seated lumbar correction that do not require a drop table. Dr. Thompson often used the Stucky Stack which was developed by Joe Stucky and does not require a drop table.

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Where does the Apple Logo come from in the Thompson Technique?

The drop mechanism is based on Newton's First Law of Motion. If an object is motionless, it will stay motionless unless acted upon by some force. If an object is moving at a constant velocity, it will continue at that velocity unless an opposing force is met. When a Chiropractor provides an adjustive thrust, that force moves through the patient and through the drop piece. When the drop piece hits bottom, Innate makes the correction. Sir Isaac Newton was said to have been sitting under an apple tree when an apple fell on his head. This lead to his publicizing his Theory of Universal Gravitation in the 1680s. Dr. Thompson chose Newton's apple as the logo for the technique for this reason.