Ackermann Institute

Chiropractic and Structural Osteopathy

Spinal manipulation – preventive health-care

Pain in the locomotor system affects around 80% of the population. The underlying reasons are as yet not fully accounted for. Doctor Wilhelm Ackermann has shown that nearly 60% of examined school children  aged 7-16 years displayed a difference in leg length reflecting pelvic imbalance. The children mostly did not complain of back pain, but when this group reaches adult age and is exposed monotonous faulty positions and sudden enforced loading, this will give rise to pain. The latent dysfunction already in childhood will end up in reflexive muscle spasm with activated trigger points. Muscular tension and pain are closely related.  Have your spine diagnosed and treated by a specialized therapist before your muscular tensions have developed into chronic blockages.

Assessment of the vertebral column

Most back disorders however are of benign nature and are classified today as unspecific or functional, which makes them indicated for manual therapy.  The therapist performs an analysis of the patient´s occupational environment, work positions and questioning about general health conditions and actual medication. Postural balance is often assessed by  comparative measuring of leg length. Muscular tensions and articular mobility are examined and pain areas identified.

Treatment adapted to the individual needs of the patient

Before manipulation the patient receives hot pack treatment combined with trancutaneous nerve stimulation. Massage and neuromuscular techniques such as positional release  may be applied to obtain muscle relaxation. In painful cases acupuncture is indicated. Traction of the lumbar spine  plays a specific role in radicular syndromes to release nerve pressure. Headache and tensions of the cervical area and the shoulder girdle are treated by soft tissue therapies before performing joint manipulation.

Proper postural balance is basic for the spinal column

Normal functioning of the organs and processes of life presupposes that the biological reactions are free to occur in an uninterfered manner.  Disturbance of the coordinating nerve transmission via the vertebral column and spinal cord can affect every cell in our body negatively.  All nerve impulses have to pass the spinal column and can be protected or disturbed here. This implies that a correct static balance is fundamental for good health.

The base of the column is the pelvis

A disturbed balance of the vertebral column will cause protective defense reactions up to the cervical spine and the head. The therapist thus includes different manual techniques for restoring balance and normal joint play of the spine and the extremity joints, and hereby trigger points have to be inactivated.  Self-mobilization programs are supplied to the patient to be individually adapted. Regular exercise and avoidance of increase in weight and overloading of the articulations are essential.

The holistic approach

To obtain long-term therapeutic effects the whole of the vertebral column has to be assessed and treated from the base up to the cervical spine and head. This implies that the therapist sees the vertebral column as an integrated entity. Altogether most patients respond favorably to manipulative therapy, often with instant results. Manipulative car acts by releasing neuromuscular stress and stimulating endogenous pain-inhibiting endorphins.