Techniques

The type of treatment performed by Dr. Mock may depend on the patient history, exam findings, the patient’s tolerance, and the specific outcome that the doctor and patient are trying to achieve. Here are descriptions of some of the many techniques that Dr. Mock uses.

Manual adjusting techniques:

• Diversified adjusting- This technique is performed by hand and involves positioning the patient, setting up on the area to be adjusted with the doctor’s hands, and then thrusting through the joint to restore motion. The thrust is quick and effective. Typically the patient will feel and sometimes hear a “popping” sound, which is essentially the release of pressure from the joint.
• Drop-Piece adjusting- This technique is performed by hand but utilizes the adjusting table to aid in the adjustment. The table has “cocking” pieces that are set and then release as the doctor thrusts to cushion the adjustment and decrease the amount of pressure applied.
• Flexion/distraction adjusting- This technique is performed by hand but also uses the adjusting table to supplement the hands-on treatment. The table itself mechanically flexes and extends the patient’s spine while the doctor holds contacts on the spine helping to lengthen and open up the spinal joints and muscles.
• Pelvic blocking- This technique uses padded blocks to help reposition the patient’s pelvis and help balance the spine. This is considered a “low force” technique and is usually combined with other procedures for the best results.

Instrument adjusting:

• Impulse Adjusting Instrument- This is an electronic mechanical adjusting instrument that can be used as the primary adjusting technique or as a supplement to manual adjusting. The instrument is hand held and provides specific thrusts at different intensities as needed for the particular adjustment. It is considered a “low force” technique.

Soft tissue work and muscle energy techniques:

• Myofascial release techniques- This is a soft tissue technique pioneered by Dr. Mock (see publications) that utilizes different amounts of patient involvement to restore length and function to muscles and other soft tissues. It can also remove nerve entrapment, treat cumulative trauma disorders, and many other conditions.
• Trigger point therapy- This soft tissue treatment involves applying pressure to specific trigger points to relieve pressure and restore muscle function.
• Proprioceptive neurofacilitation (PNF stretching)- Dr. Mock studied this technique with Dr. Janda from Czechoslovakia who pioneered the technique in the treatment of patients with polio. This method combines doctor-supplied resistance with relaxation to lengthen and restore muscle balance.