Palmer College of Chiropractic West

Academics

Technique Elective Courses (CE)

The following technique electives are available to students who have completed the prerequisite courses at Palmer West. These electives are designed to facilitate investigation of specialized techniques after the student has completed the study of basic adjustive procedures. PCCW faculty actively participate in new developments in chiropractic technique, as evidenced by their regular editorial and scholarly contributions in such journals as Chiropractic Technique, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics and Topics in Clinical Chiropractic.

Students who are on academic probation or remediation are not eligible to take technique elective courses. Eligible students may enroll in no more than two electives per quarter.

Diversified adjustive procedures; vector line-of-correction; prestress and adjustive thrust; sitting, prone, and supine patient positions for adjustment are included; emphasis on practical work; performance of diversified adjustments relative to static and motion palpation findings.

Gonstead procedures; mechanisms of injury; motion palpation; instrumentation; X-ray analysis; postural analysis; adjustive procedures to correct subluxations for the entire spine; emphasis on practical work.

Specific treatment regimens using Gonstead procedures; managing problems such as low back pain, neck pain, whiplash, degenerative diseases, and related clinical entities. Emphasis on practical work.

Analytical and adjustive methods as written and practiced by Dr. J. Clay Thompson; Derefield and Cervical Syndrome Analytical procedures; specific approaches to the adjustive correction of pelvic misalignments, spondylolisthesis, ribcage and other spinal areas; terminal point table; emphasis on practical work.

Palmer Toggle Recoil, Grostic and Atlas Orthogonal Upper Cervical Specific methods; specific line-of-correction calculations for a side posture atlas adjustment; chiropractic neuro-orthopedic pre- and post-adjustment examination; emphasis on practical work; comparisons with other total spinal methods.

Patient categorization and the basic treatment regimens for the S.O.T. categories; blocking methods and category management; analysis of physical findings as written by Dr. M.B. DeJarnette; basic cranial maneuvers; emphasis on practical experience.

Biophysics technique procedures, including: history; spinal models; analysis; adjustive procedures; cervical adjusting instrument; case management; exercise.

Activator procedures, including: mechanisms of subluxation; analysis; adjustive procedures; light force Activator adjusting instrument.

Instruction in the Track II Activator Methods "advanced analysis" system.

Hands-on training for the most common adjunctive, on-the-field treatment approaches, including: taping, stretching, myofascial stripping, cross-friction and other massage techniques.

Lecture/discussion/guest clinician presentations relating to the concepts, theories and effects of spinal subluxations as they affect health and well-being; chiropractic history, the changing role of the chiropractor in the health care delivery team.

Theory and application of flexion distraction methods for treatment of mechanical and discogenic low back pain; emphasis on practical application skills.

Potential effects of aberrant cranial motion on health and well-being; potential mechanisms of cranial therapy.

This course is designed to provide the student with an advanced level of appreciation and understanding with regard to the complex array of neuro-hormonal adaptations, which have evolved in response to various forms of acute and chronic “stress.” Several forms of stress will be addressed (e.g., starvation, hypovolemia, hypothermia, exercise, etc.) However, special attention will be given to the underlying anatomic, physiologic, and biochemical mechanisms involved in the induction, reception, transmission, modulation and perception of pain.

Preparation of the student for emergencies that may occur at a sporting event.

Topics in clinical nutrition, including: dietary analysis; use of supplements; laboratory, history and exam findings; dietary protocols; detoxification programs; evaluation of progress. Clinical case studies will be presented.

Theory and application of the Graston soft tissue technique; demonstration and practice of the use of the Graston tools in various areas, beginning with spinal structures.

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