Thompson Technique
The Thompson Technique is a technique of chiropractic medicine that uses a segmental drop table to intensify the force of thrust during a chiropractic adjustment. Originally invented and patented by Dr. Thompson in the mid 1950s, the table was originally designed with a dropping headpiece segment. Another chiropractor later invented a more complex table with drop pieces to accommodate other regions of the spine, such as the dorsal, lumbar and pelvic areas.The Thompson Technique is employed to increase the motion of the spinal joints being adjusted.
This treatment was, at first, used with the patient lying face down, so that the adjustment was made by applying pressure from the posterior to the anterior of the body. Various types of drop tables for use with the Thompson Technique are now available, including some that accommodate the patient positioned on the side.
Another important element of the Thompson Technique is that it is used to determine a disparity between the length of the legs. When the patient, lying prone, is observed by the chiropractor, a discrepancy may be visible as the feet are extended and flexed. Assuming the patient has no congenital abnormality in leg length, has not had a bone fracture or a joint implant, this inequality may be the result of a neurological imbalance in the reticular system of the patient's brain. The reticular system functions to maintain muscular balance. If an imbalance is discovered during a leg length analysis, further analyses, including five levels of interpretation that comprise part of the Thompson Technique, are performed to determine which particular areas require adjustment.
When a chiropractor uses the Thompson Technique, other investigative tools may be used, including further physical examination, X-rays, and motion studies. The Thompson Technique is now in widespread use, estimated to be employed by more than half the chiropractors in the world.