Non-Surgical Chiropractic Care for Spinal Health

Why Should You Opt for Integrative Spine & Joint Care from Us?

Chiropractic Specialty Center® is recognized as the premier spine and joint care center in Malaysia. Our use of advanced technology, combined with our skilled clinicians and years of experience, has made us the leading provider of non-surgical spine and joint care. We offer collaborative care, meaning you no longer have to choose between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist. With us, you get the benefit of both specialties working together to manage your spine and joint issues.

Our physiotherapists have significantly improved clinical outcomes, helping many patients recover when other centers failed. The integration of spine-specific devices and advanced care methods plays a crucial role in these outcomes. Together, our chiropractors and physiotherapists deliver superior care, ensuring you receive the most effective treatments available.

Physiotherapy Combined with Chiropractic Care

The combined efforts of our chiropractors and physiotherapists are further enriched by advanced technology. This integrated care model not only improves your recovery but also ensures that every aspect of your condition is addressed. It’s not just about collaboration; it’s about how we care for you. At CSC, our clinical teams and technology allow us to provide the best chiropractic care in Malaysia.

Typically, a chiropractor will employ various techniques for spinal adjustments, such as the Gonstead technique, Thompson technique, or Diversified technique. However, before any adjustments are made, a thorough evaluation of your condition will take place. Depending on your specific needs, your chiropractor may use manual methods or an instrument called the “Activator” to adjust and manage your condition. Rest assured, the care you receive at CSC is highly targeted and based on a complete diagnosis, ensuring the most effective care for a full recovery. We use the best Activator methods for treating the spine, joints, scoliosis, and sports injuries in our centers.

The “Hands-On” Chiropractic Care (Manual Methods) Has Been Around Since The Inception Of Chiropractic In 1895

This method remains the most commonly used in chiropractic care. However, recent years have seen an increase in instrument-assisted adjustments. This shift has been driven by a rise in complex spine and joint conditions being presented to chiropractors, along with a better understanding of the mechanisms behind malfunctions and injuries.

The “hands-on” method is usually performed in a seated, supine, or side-lying position for neck discomfort patients. The chiropractic care is delivered gently to the affected area, aiming to mobilize, realign, and reposition the cervical vertebrae. Some chiropractic care methods involve rotational or twisting movements, including the Diversified and Gonstead techniques. When performed correctly, the procedure should not be painful or uncomfortable. However, patients might be surprised by the “popping” noise that can occur during the adjustment.

For lower back discomfort patients, manual techniques are applied while the patient is in a supine, prone, or side-lying position. The Gonstead and Diversified techniques are typically used in a side-lying position. The S.O.T. (Sacral Occipital Technique) and Meric techniques are administered while the patient is in a prone position (lying face-down). The Activator chiropractic care is notably versatile, allowing adjustments in seated, prone, or side-lying positions. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for patients experiencing severe discomfort, pregnant individuals, or those with more complex conditions.

The Gonstead Chiropractic Care & Other Rotatory Or Twisting Methods

The “popping” sound often heard during adjustments is caused by the release of gases, a natural byproduct of joint metabolism. In the case of lower back discomfort, the Gonstead method involves spinal adjustments while the patient is lying face-down, on their side, or seated. The specific position depends on the area being treated. Chiropractic care, when properly performed, should never be painful or uncomfortable—our approach is centered around the principle: “No Discomfort, More Benefit.”

A well-known manual technique is the Gonstead method, which is highly effective for general spinal mobilization. However, for patients with herniated discs, bulging discs, prolapsed discs, or ruptured discs (slipped discs), we avoid using the Gonstead method, as it could exacerbate the condition. Instead, the Activator method is used, as it provides more targeted adjustments and is the least stressful technique, making it ideal for elderly patients, slipped disc sufferers, and pregnant individuals.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe For The Elderly?

Chiropractic care is generally safe for individuals of any age, provided the appropriate techniques are used. In many industrialized nations, individuals aged 65 and above are considered elderly. Along with spine and joint discomfort, common health concerns for the elderly include hypertension, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries). For elderly patients, the Activator Method and the S.O.T. technique are the safest chiropractic treatment options. Patients with hypertension or arteriosclerosis should avoid rotational methods such as the Gonstead and Diversified techniques.

Is Chiropractic Safe For Hypertensive Patients?

Patients with hypertension should avoid any rotatory chiropractic methods, regardless of age. The safest chiropractic care methods for hypertensive patients are the S.O.T. (Sacral Occipital Technique) and Activator Methods, as these techniques do not involve any rotational movements. A placebo-controlled study conducted at the University of Chicago reported improvements in hypertension when chiropractic care was applied to the upper neck (Atlas or C-1) using a non-rotatory chiropractic method.

Is Chiropractic Safe For Pregnancy?

Chiropractic care is generally considered safe for both new and expecting mothers. Pregnant individuals who experience discomfort in their neck, upper back, mid-back, or lower back can benefit from CSC’s evidence-based methods that are specifically safe for pregnancy. In addition, joint discomfort and swelling are common during pregnancy, including prenatal and postnatal wrist, hand, foot, and ankle discomfort. One common condition is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, which causes swelling and discomfort in the wrist and thumb joints.

However, it is advisable to avoid rotatory methods such as the Gonstead and Diversified techniques during pregnancy. The elevated hormone levels during pregnancy and breastfeeding, specifically Relaxin, contribute to increased joint flexibility and hypermobility of the spine. This makes the joints more susceptible to injury when using rotatory techniques. Relaxin is produced to prepare the body for pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding, but it also relaxes soft tissue. For this reason, manual, non-rotatory chiropractic techniques, like the Activator Method, are the safest and most effective for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals.

Comparative Reviews of Chiropractic Techniques for Pregnancy

• Gonstead Chiropractic: Gonstead chiropractors use a knee-chest bench or a side-lying position for care. The knee-chest bench is primarily used for managing the lower back, while the neck is managed in a seated or supine position. Although the Gonstead method is effective, it is not as safe for pregnant individuals as the Activator Method.
• Diversified Chiropractic: The Diversified technique manages patients in a supine, prone, or side-lying position, with the knee flexed towards the chest. While generally safe, this method is not recommended for the elderly, those with spinal disc concerns, or pregnant individuals due to its rotatory movements.
• Activator Method Chiropractic: The Activator Method is the safest and most effective chiropractic care for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. This method is non-rotatory, non-forceful, and gentle, making it ideal for all ages and conditions. It can be performed in seated, supine, prone, or side-lying positions, offering the most versatile and gentle approach.

At Chiropractic Specialty Center® (CSC), we provide safe, effective alternatives to hands-on and rotatory chiropractic treatments. For our prenatal and postnatal patients, we use the Activator Method, which ensures safety and effectiveness in relieving discomfort from pregnancy and postpartum symptoms. If you are an expecting, new, or breastfeeding individual, our chiropractic and physiotherapy teams are here to help with your pregnancy-related aches and discomfort. Contact our Bukit Damansara center today for more information.

Benefits of the Gonstead Technique & Other General Methods of Spinal Mobilization or Adjustments

The Gonstead technique, Thompson methods, and Diversified techniques are valuable for general spinal adjustments when the primary goal is to improve mobility. However, we prefer to use these methods only when mobility is the sole focus, and never for more complex conditions. These techniques are classified as global or general spinal manipulations because they apply to the entire spine, not targeting specific issues.

In these methods, the patient is typically positioned on their side, and a gentle thrust is applied while the chiropractor rotates the spine. However, it’s important to note that these rotational techniques can aggravate certain conditions. For example, applying the Gonstead technique to a herniated or ruptured spinal disc may worsen the problem, as the disc may fragment or shift, potentially leading to severe complications like loss of bowel or bladder control, or even paralysis.

At Chiropractic Specialty Center® (CSC), we prioritize patient safety. Therefore, we do not use methods that could potentially aggravate spinal disc or joint issues. For conditions like bulging, herniated, ruptured, or extruded discs, we focus on non-rotatory chiropractic and physiotherapy methods to ensure a safe and effective care approach.