What’s the clicky thing chiropractors use?
Does the activator actually work?
(approx 2 min read)
The Activator
That clicky tool is called the Activator and it is a spring loaded, handheld tool that stimulates a release but without putting excess pressure or twisting through the joint.
When used, the patient hears the click of the spring mechanism releasing, and no noise will come out of their joints.
It’s nicknames are commonly “the clicky thing”, “the staple gun”, “that pogo looking thing” and just simply “the clicker”.
The tool pictured here is the adjustorpro version which retail for around £300 although there are many types of activator. The Activator Method® has the premium tools, ranging from $750-$1900 and chiropractors in the UK need to import these.
What is the activator used for?
The activator is a tool that may be used during your adjustment (Chiropractic treatment) that will help to mobilise the joint and stimulate the nerves. This leads to better, more balanced movement through the spine which leads to our joints, muscles and nerves feeling better. It follows a similar principle to traditional adjustment techniques but with a lower force.
The principle behind any adjustment is that we are stimulating the local mechanoreceptors (nerve endings for pressure) that that send signals through the nerves to the brain, and the brain sends a message back to release the tissue. The activator is most commonly used for more delicate joints, where manual (diversified) style of adjustments are inappropriate or you just don’t want your back cracked.
The most common times for using the activator include pregnancy, paediatrics, arthritis (osteoarthritis and inflammatory such as psoriatic or rheumatoid), torticollis (cricked neck), suspicion of confirmed osteopenia or osteoporosis (weak bones), rib pain or sometimes down to pure patient preference.
Does the activator work?
As with any treatment modality, it is very succesful when used in the correct case. There are two common approaches:
Traditional assessment to identify areas, and use activator instead of manual adjustments.
Activator Method® assessment with activator to release.
Most Chiropractors will be using method 1 in their practice, which means assessing for restriction in movement along the joints of the spine and often into the extremities such as bones of the feet, patella (kneecap) to identify these areas that can then be released with the activator
Some chiropractors will be using method 2 and will assess for leg length discrepancy and ask you to turn and rotate your head to identify which segment of the spine they will treat. This is part of the Activator assessment and whilst the Activator is a very commonly used treatment technique, there are less chiropractors that use the assessment technique.
As with all techniques, different bodies prefer different styles of treatment. The activator technique works exceptionally well for hypermobile joints, inflamed joints or a particularly sensitive nervous system. This means that it can also change between person to person, but the same person may respond differently on different days, especially if they are having a flare up of chronic pain, arthritis or stress. On these days, the activator works very well alongside dry needling (a form of acupuncture) that also allows the body to relax itself, without too much interference from the practitioner.
What does the activator feel like:
As the chiropractor releases the activator, it feels like a quick nudge, and you will hear a click as the spring releases. There may be some soreness if there is pre-existing nerve sensitivity or soft tissue inflammation. There should not be any pain associated with activator technique so speak to your practitioner if you have concerns.
Types of activator:
All activators have different setting on them that allow for very low intensity which a healthy adult wouldn’t notice that it had been used, and varies all the way up to being suitable for low back or pelvic joints.
Activators are all hand-held and the majority of them are manual, meaning that the clinician manully pulls a trigger to release the mechanism. For chiropractors that use the activator as the main technique in the clinic, it may be worth investing in the electronic activator which reduces the load in the clinicians hand, but optimises the speed and specificity of the release for the patient, however these are around $2000 and not necessary for most clinicians.
Summary
Many chiropractors will use some form of activator technique, although this can very between clinicians. Most commonly, chiropractors will use it supplement their other techniques when working with a sensitive joint or if somebody doesnt like their back cracked. It stimulates a release of the surrounding tissue by waking up all the nerve endings in the area, and avoids excess rotation or strain on joints, making it a great tool for a huge range of people that would benefit from improved spinal mechanics but manual adjusting doesn’t suit them.
