Home » Understanding Chiropractic Techniques | Ansell Chiropractic Centre TownsvilleWritten by Dr Daryl Ansell | Reviewed by Dr Robert Foster | Last reviewed August 2026

What Are the Main Chiropractic Techniques and How Do They Differ?

Quick Answer: Chiropractic techniques are different methods used to improve joint movement, reduce stiffness, and tailor care to the patient. They differ mainly in the level of force used and how that force is delivered — manual techniques such as Diversified and Gonstead use hands-on thrust adjustments, lower-force methods such as Thompson Drop use a drop table to reduce the force required, and instrument-assisted approaches such as Activator and Impulse deliver a precise mechanical impulse without twisting or cracking. Selected gentle low-force methods such as SOT blocking use body weight and positioning rather than any direct force at all. The right technique depends on the patient, the condition, comfort level, and clinical findings — not routine or personal preference.

This guide explains the main chiropractic techniques in plain English — how they differ, where they may fit, and some of the potential pros and limitations of each approach. If you are mainly trying to understand what may happen at an appointment, you can also read our summary page on what techniques might be used during your visit, learn more about your first visit, or see how chiropractic works.

A Quick Note on Evidence

It is important to separate evidence for manual therapy and spinal manipulation in general from evidence for a specific named chiropractic technique.

For many common musculoskeletal complaints such as low back pain, neck pain, some types of headaches, and mechanical joint dysfunction, research supports manual therapy as one possible part of a broader care plan. That broader plan often also includes movement advice, exercise, load management, posture advice, and self-care strategies. Healthdirect’s overview of chiropractic treatment provides a useful general summary, and their page on low back pain is also worth reading.

That does not mean every named technique has been proven superior to every other technique. In practice, the most important issue is usually not the technique label. It is whether the assessment is thorough, the diagnosis is sound, the treatment is appropriate, and the care is adapted to the person in front of you.

A modern clinic should also screen carefully for situations where chiropractic care is not appropriate. If you want to understand warning signs that may need urgent medical assessment, read our guide to red flags chiropractors look for. For broader consumer health guidance, the Better Health Channel’s neck pain page is also helpful.

 

Is One Chiropractic Technique Better Than Another?

Quick Answer: No single chiropractic technique is best for everyone. Research more strongly supports manual therapy and spinal manipulation in general for some musculoskeletal problems than it does any one branded chiropractic method. In practice, the most appropriate technique depends on the diagnosis, body region involved, patient preference, comfort, and whether lower-force care is needed.

 

The Main Chiropractic Techniques

Diversified Technique

Diversified is one of the most commonly used manual chiropractic techniques. It involves a quick, controlled adjustment delivered by hand to a joint that is not moving as well as it should.

This is the technique many people picture when they think of a chiropractic adjustment. It can be used in the spine and, in some cases, in selected extremity joints as well.

Why It Is Commonly Used

Diversified is versatile, practical, and widely used for everyday musculoskeletal complaints such as low back pain, neck pain, mid-back stiffness, and some mechanical headache presentations.

Potential Advantages

• Hands-on and adaptable
• Can be used across many areas of the spine
• Often helpful for restoring movement in stiff joints
• Familiar to many patients
• Fits well within a modern evidence-informed musculoskeletal model

Potential Limitations

• Not everyone likes the idea of a manual thrust or the associated joint noise
• Not appropriate in some situations such as fracture risk, significant bone fragility, or certain medical contraindications
• Some patients simply prefer a gentler or instrument-assisted approach

May Suit

• Mechanical low back pain
• Neck and mid-back stiffness
• Patients comfortable with hands-on care
• People wanting a more traditional manual chiropractic approach

If pain is related to nerve irritation or referred pain into the limb, related pages such as sciatica, shoulder and arm pain, and hip and leg pain may also help explain how symptoms can spread beyond the spine itself.

 

Gonstead Technique

Gonstead is a more specific, segment-focused style of manual adjusting. It is known for careful assessment, attention to spinal mechanics, and a targeted approach to particular spinal levels.

Gonstead-style principles may be used where a more precise manual approach is appropriate.

Why Some Patients Like It

Many patients like the feeling that the adjustment is being directed very specifically to one area rather than being more general.

Potential Advantages

• Specific and targeted manual approach
• Often useful where segmental precision matters
• Appeals to patients who like a more structured examination and treatment style
• Can fit well within a practical, hands-on musculoskeletal model

Potential Limitations

• Still a manual technique, so it will not suit every patient
• Evidence is stronger for spinal manipulation more broadly than for Gonstead as a named technique on its own
• Some traditional Gonstead systems place a strong emphasis on imaging, which should always be clinically justified rather than routine

May Suit

• Patients wanting a precise hands-on adjustment
• Some low back or neck presentations where specificity matters
• People who respond well to manual chiropractic care

Patients with disc-related pain may also want to read about disc injuries and bulging disc, especially where pain is accompanied by stiffness, referral, or nerve irritation.

 

Thompson Drop Technique

Thompson Drop uses a segmented table with sections that gently drop during the adjustment. This allows the chiropractor to deliver a lower-force adjustment than a standard manual thrust.

This is a useful middle-ground technique because it still feels hands-on, but is often gentler and more comfortable than a stronger manual adjustment.

Why It Is Useful

Drop-piece techniques are often practical for pelvic problems, sacroiliac issues, low back pain, and for patients who want a manual technique without as much force.

Potential Advantages

• Usually gentler than a standard manual thrust
• Often comfortable for pelvic and lower back work
• Useful when full manual force is not ideal
• Commonly well tolerated
• Can be used as part of a broader full-spine approach

Potential Limitations

• Still not appropriate in all cases of fragility or instability
• Some highly restricted joints may suit a different approach
• As with several named techniques, the evidence is stronger for broader manual care than for the table method alone

May Suit

• Low back pain
• Pelvic and sacroiliac dysfunction
• Patients wanting a lower-force hands-on technique
• People who are a little apprehensive about stronger manual adjusting

If pelvic, buttock, or leg symptoms are part of the picture, it is worth also reviewing our pages on hip and leg pain and sciatica.

 

Activator Method

Activator uses a small hand-held instrument to deliver a quick, low-force impulse to a specific area. It avoids twisting and usually avoids the cracking sound associated with manual manipulation.

This is a useful option for patients who prefer a gentler style of care.

Why Patients Often Choose It

Some people are nervous about manual adjusting, are more pain-sensitive, or simply feel more comfortable with a low-force instrument approach.

Potential Advantages

• Gentle and low-force
• No twisting
• Usually no audible joint crack
• Useful for sensitive patients, older adults, and people who prefer a gentler approach
• Can be used on different parts of the spine and some extremities

Potential Limitations

• Some patients prefer the feel of hands-on care
• Some conditions may respond better to a different style of treatment
• Assessment systems historically associated with Activator should not be overstated

May Suit

• Older or more fragile patients
• People who dislike manual cracking
• Acute pain-sensitive presentations
• Patients wanting a gentler introduction to chiropractic care

Where symptoms extend into the arms or legs, people often also benefit from reading about shoulder and arm pain or hip and leg pain so they understand the broader movement and nerve irritation picture.

 

Impulse Instrument Adjusting

Impulse is another low-force instrument-assisted method. It delivers a controlled mechanical impulse to the joint or region being treated, offering a precise, repeatable, low-force option that is particularly useful when a gentler approach is preferred.

This fits well with a modern, practical, patient-centred approach because treatment can be modified to comfort and tolerance.

Why It Is Useful

Impulse-style adjusting can be helpful for patients who want precision and comfort without a manual thrust.

Potential Advantages

• Low-force and controlled
• Often comfortable for pain-sensitive patients
• No twisting
• Useful for patients who want a gentle but still targeted treatment
• Can be used in spinal and some extremity regions

Potential Limitations

• Some patients still prefer traditional hands-on adjusting
• Lower-force techniques are not always the best fit for every joint or every presentation
• The clinical value is best framed as a low-force option, not as a superior technology claim

May Suit

• Pain-sensitive patients
• Older patients
• Patients with manipulation anxiety
• Those wanting a modern low-force alternative to manual adjusting

If you are unsure whether a low-force or manual approach may suit you better, our page on what techniques might be used during your visit explains how assessment helps guide the treatment style chosen.

 

SOT-Style Blocking and Gentle Low-Force Care

SOT stands for Sacro-Occipital Technique. In its broader historical form it includes a range of concepts, some of which are more controversial than others.

Where relevant, gentle pelvic blocking, positioning, or low-force supportive care principles may be used in selected cases — particularly where a patient is not well suited to stronger manual treatment.

Potential Advantages

• Very gentle
• May suit some acute, guarded, or more fragile patients
• Can be useful where comfort and low force are priorities
• May help in selected pelvic or sacroiliac presentations

Potential Limitations

• Some parts of the broader SOT model are not strongly supported by evidence
• Patients wanting faster, more direct joint treatment may do better with other methods

May Suit

• Patients who cannot tolerate stronger manual care
• Some low-force pelvic or sacroiliac presentations
• People wanting a very gentle starting point

People dealing with pelvic or lower back symptoms may also want to explore our pages on sacroiliac joint syndrome, low back pain, and our general approach to exercises and rehabilitation.

 

Other Chiropractic Techniques Patients May Hear About

These techniques are sometimes discussed in the wider chiropractic profession. They are included here briefly for completeness, but they are not the main approaches emphasised at Ansell Chiropractic Centre.

Cox Flexion-Distraction

Cox Flexion-Distraction is a table-based, low-force traction-style technique often discussed in relation to lumbar disc problems, sciatica, and some spinal stenosis presentations. It can be a useful conservative option in selected low back cases, particularly where a decompression-style approach is preferred. If disc irritation is part of the discussion, our pages on disc injuries and bulging disc give broader context.

Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP)

CBP is a posture-focused system that places more emphasis on spinal curves, traction, posture retraining, and longer-term structural change. Some patients like the more corrective, posture-based framework, but claims about ideal curves and long-term structural correction should be presented cautiously. For most people, a more practical starting point is advice around posture, loading, and exercise and rehabilitation.

Upper Cervical Techniques

Upper cervical techniques focus mainly on the top part of the neck, especially the atlas and axis. Some patients seek these out for neck-related symptoms, headaches, cervicogenic headache, and vertigo-related complaints. These methods are best described cautiously as specialised upper-neck approaches used by some practitioners, rather than as proven answers for migraine, vertigo, blood pressure, or wider neurological conditions.

Network Spinal

Network Spinal is a very light-touch, wellness-oriented approach with a stronger mind-body emphasis. Some people are drawn to its gentle style and broader wellness focus, but it sits outside the more straightforward musculoskeletal, evidence-based style of care.

Applied Kinesiology

Applied Kinesiology uses manual muscle testing as part of a broader assessment framework. It is controversial and has significant limitations as a diagnostic model. It is not central to a modern evidence-based musculoskeletal approach.

 

Which Chiropractic Technique May Suit Different Patients?

Quick Answer: Manual techniques such as Diversified or Gonstead may suit people who want a traditional hands-on adjustment. Lower-force options such as Thompson Drop may suit patients who still want manual care but with less force. Instrument-assisted methods such as Activator and Impulse may suit people who are pain-sensitive, older, anxious about manipulation, or simply prefer a gentler approach. The right choice depends on the person, the condition, examination findings, and tolerance to treatment.

 

So Which Chiropractic Technique Is Best?

There is no single best chiropractic technique for everyone.

A better question is: which approach is most appropriate for this patient, for this problem, at this time?

For example, a patient with straightforward mechanical low back pain may respond well to manual adjusting, movement advice, and exercise. A patient with acute pain or strong apprehension may prefer Activator or Impulse. A patient with pelvic or sacroiliac irritation may respond well to Thompson Drop or other low-force pelvic work. A patient who wants a precise manual approach may prefer Diversified or Gonstead. A patient with clear contraindications may need referral, imaging, co-management, or a different type of care entirely.

At Ansell Chiropractic Centre, the focus is not on forcing every patient into one technique. The focus is on good assessment, red-flag screening, selecting the most appropriate approach, and modifying care to suit the individual.

If you want to better understand that decision-making process, read what techniques might be used during your visit, what happens at your first visit, and the warning signs covered in our guide to red flags chiropractors look for.

 

How Chiropractors Choose Which Technique to Use

Quick Answer: Chiropractors should choose a technique based on the patient’s history, examination findings, diagnosis, symptom severity, comfort level, age, general health, and whether there are any contraindications to treatment. The safest and most appropriate technique is not always the strongest or most traditional one. In many cases, care is modified to suit tolerance, goals, and clinical presentation.

Technique names matter less than many people think.

A good chiropractor should assess properly before treating, explain what they think is going on, screen for red flags and contraindications, offer treatment options suited to the patient, modify care based on comfort, age, pain levels, and goals, include exercise and self-management where appropriate, and refer when the presentation is outside their scope.

That style of care is far more important than whether a clinic uses one branded technique name over another. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency also expects health advertising to be evidence-based and not misleading, which is why it is sensible to be cautious about exaggerated technique claims. You can read more in AHPRA’s advertising guidance for registered health practitioners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main chiropractic techniques?

The main chiropractic techniques include manual methods such as Diversified and Gonstead, lower-force hands-on methods such as Thompson Drop, instrument-assisted methods such as Activator and Impulse, and selected gentle low-force approaches. The most appropriate technique depends on the individual patient, the problem being assessed, and tolerance to treatment.

Is one chiropractic technique better than another?

No single chiropractic technique is best for everyone. The best option depends on the diagnosis, the body region involved, patient comfort, clinical findings, and whether a lower-force or manual approach is more suitable.

What technique does Ansell Chiropractic Centre commonly use?

Ansell Chiropractic Centre commonly uses Diversified, Gonstead, Thompson Drop, Activator, and Impulse, along with selected gentle low-force methods where appropriate. Care is tailored rather than using the same technique for every patient.

Are low-force chiropractic techniques useful?

Low-force methods such as Activator, Impulse, Thompson Drop, and some gentle blocking approaches may be useful for patients who are pain-sensitive, older, apprehensive about manual adjustments, or simply prefer a gentler option.

Can chiropractic techniques be modified for different patients?

Yes. A modern chiropractic approach should adapt care to the patient’s condition, comfort level, age, health status, and goals. Some patients may suit manual adjusting, while others may be better suited to lower-force or instrument-assisted care.

 

Prefer the Short Version?

If you are mainly trying to understand what may happen during an appointment rather than compare techniques in depth, visit our summary page on what techniques might be used during your visit.

 

Final Thoughts

Chiropractic techniques vary widely. Some are more manual, some are lower-force, and some use instruments or drop-piece tables. At Ansell Chiropractic Centre, the techniques we most commonly use are those that fit a modern, practical, evidence-informed, patient-centred model of care — particularly Diversified, Gonstead, Thompson Drop, Activator, Impulse, and selected gentle low-force methods where appropriate.

The goal is not to promote one technique as the answer for everyone. The goal is to choose the right approach for the person in front of us, explain it clearly, and combine treatment with sensible advice, movement, and rehabilitation where appropriate. Our exercise and rehabilitation approach is an important part of that broader model.