Testing the length of the legs is part of traditional activator methods.
Activators are small instruments sometimes used by chiropractors. These spring-loaded tools deliver a small amount of force at an extremely high speed to an area of the spine. A chiropractor may choose to use an activator instead of the traditional manual adjustment for many different reasons.
Operation
When the chiropractor releases the activator, its silicone tip extends rapidly and delivers pressure to whatever it is touching. When the chiropractor places an activator against a part of the body that does not need adjustment, the patient hardly feels the pressure and suffers no harm. For this reason, many chiropractors demonstrate an activator on their patients' arms or hands.
Leg-Length Tests
A leg-length test can indicate whether an activator has made the necessary adjustment to a patient's spine. The chiropractor checks the relative length of each leg prior to the adjustment and then manipulates or has the patient move her legs and re-evaluates the relative length of the legs. After a successful adjustment, the legs should be the same length. Otherwise, the situation may require a second treatment with the activator.
Alternative to Manual Adjustment
Some situations do not call for a manual adjustment. For example, some spinal issues require small, precise movements that can prove difficult to achieve with traditional spinal manipulation. Some specific disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, appear to benefit from activator adjustments.
Difficult-to-Adjust Patients
Some patients have difficulty with manual adjustments, which makes the activator especially useful in their treatment. Many pregnant women are unable to lie on chiropractor's adjustment table, requiring the use of an activator. The instrument will work on anyone who cannot use the chiropractor's table; it can also benefit those who are nervous or anxious about the adjustment, as such patients tend to tense their muscles during an adjustment, which minimizes its efficiency.
Tags: adjustment patient, length legs, manual adjustment, relative length, spine chiropractor, When chiropractor