Activator Methods: Articles

Resources pertaining to the adjustment technique of activator methods.

Activator Method - General Research Articles

Clinical effectiveness of the activator adjusting instrument in the management of musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of the literature.
Huggins T, et al. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012 Mar;56(1):49-57.
Activator as a therapeutic instrument: survey of usage and opinions amongst members of the British Chiropractic Association.
Gemmell HA, et al. Clin Chiropr. 2006 Jun;9(2):70-75.
Status of activator methods chiropractic technique, theory, and practice.
Fuhr AW, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005 Feb;28(2):e1-e20. Review.
Activator methods chiropractic technique.
Fuhr AW, et al. Topics in Clinical Chiropractic. 2002 September;9(3):30-43.
Rating specific chiropractic technique procedures for common low back conditions.
Gatterman MI, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001 Sep;24(7):449-56.
Activator methods chiropractic technique.
Cooperstein. Chiropr Tech. 1997 Aug;9(3):108-114.
Description and analysis of activator methods chiropractic technique.
Fuhr AW, et al. Adv Chiropr. 1995 ;2():471-520.
The activator story: the development of a new concept in chriopractic.
Richards DM. Chiropractic Journal of Australia. 1994 Mar;24(1):28-32
The current status of activator methods chiropractic technique, theory, and training.
Fuhr AW, et al. Chiropr Tech. 1990 Nov;2(4):168-175.

Activator Method - Cervical Spine

Relative effectiveness and adverse effects of cervical manipulation, mobilisation and the activator instrument in patients with sub-acute non-specific neck pain: results from a stopped randomised trial.
Gemmell H, et al. Chiropr & Osteopat. 2010 ;18(1):Online access only 46.
Validity and internal consistency of a whiplash-specific disability measure.
Pinfold M, et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2004 Feb 1;29(3):263-8.
Lateral cervical curve changes in patients receiving chiropractic care after a motor vehicle collision: a retrospective case series.
Coleman RR, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Jul-Aug;26(6):352-5.
A pilot randomized clinical trial on the relative effect of instrumental (MFMA) versus manual (HVLA) manipulation in the treatment of cervical spine dysfunction.
Wood TG, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001 May;24(4):260-71.
Treatment of cervical disc protrusions via instrumental chiropractic adjustment.
Polkinghorn BS. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998 Feb;21(2):114-21.
Safety in chiropractic practice. Part II: Treatment to the upper neck and the rate of cerebrovascular incidents.
Klougart N, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996 Nov-Dec;19(9):563-9.
Comparison of two chiropractic techniques on pain and lateral flexion in neck pain patients: A pilot study.
Mior S, et al. Chiropr Tech. 1996 Nov;8(4):155-162.
Three-dimensional head kinematics and cervical range of motion in the diagnosis of patients with neck trauma.
Osterbauer PJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996 May;19(4):231-7.
Manipulation and mobilization of the cervical spine. A systematic review of the literature.
Hurwitz EL, et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996 Aug 1;21(15):1746-59.
Instantaneous helical axis estimation from 3-D video data in neck kinematics for whiplash diagnostics.
Woltring HJ, et al. J Biomech. 1994 Dec;27(12):1415-32.
Three-dimensional head axis of rotation during tracking movements. A tool for assessing neck neuromechanical function.
Winters JM, et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1993 Jul;18(9):1178-85.
Three-dimensional head kinematics and clinical outcome of patients with neck injury treated with spinal manipulative therapy: a pilot study.
Osterbauer PJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1992 Oct;15(8):501-11.
Cervical spine: manipulative skill and performance considerations.
Byfield D. Eur J Chiropr. 1991 Aug;39(2):45-52.
Spinal learning: central modulation of pain processing and long-term alteration of interneuronal excitability as a result of nociceptive peripheral input.
Slosberg M. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1990 Jul-Aug;13(6):326-36.
Reliability of the Derifield-Thompson test for leg length inequality, and use of the test to demonstrate cervical adjusting efficacy.
Shambaugh P, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1988 Oct;11(5):396-9.

Activator Method - Lumbar Spine

Inflammatory response following a short-term course of chiropractic treatment in subjects with and without chronic low back pain.
Roy RA, et al. J Chiropr Med. 2010 Sep;9(3):107-14.
Spinal manipulation reduces pain and hyperalgesia after lumbar intervertebral foramen inflammation in the rat.
Song XJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006 Jan;29(1):5-13.
Biomechanical and neurophysiological responses to spinal manipulation in patients with lumbar radiculopathy.
Colloca CJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Jan;27(1):1-15.
Active trunk extensor contributions to dynamic posteroanterior lumbar spinal stiffness.
Colloca CJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 May;27(4):229-37.
Neuromechanical characterization of in vivo lumbar spinal manipulation. Part I. Vertebral motion.
Keller TS, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Nov-Dec;26(9):567-78.
Neuromechanical characterization of in vivo lumbar spinal manipulation. Part II. Neurophysiological response.
Colloca CJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Nov-Dec;26(9):579-91.
Force-deformation response of the lumbar spine: a sagittal plane model of posteroanterior manipulation and mobilization.
Keller TS, et al. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2002 Mar;17(3):185-96.
Treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation using activator methods chiropractic technique.
Polkinghorn BS, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998 Mar-Apr;21(3):187-96.
A biomechanical model of the lumbar spine during upright isometric flexion, extension, and lateral bending.
Guzik DC, et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996 Feb 15;21(4):427-33.
The immediate effect of activator vs. meric adjustment on acute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Gemmell HA, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995 Sep;18(7):453-6.

Activator Method - Sacroiliac Joint

A randomized clinical trial of manual versus mechanical force manipulation in the treatment of sacroiliac joint syndrome.
Shearar KA, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005 Sep;28(7):493-501.
Treatment and biomechanical assessment of patients with chronic sacroiliac joint syndrome.
Osterbauer PJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1993 Feb;16(2):82-90.

Activator Method - Neurophysiological Research

Immediate effects of the audible pop from a thoracic spine thrust manipulation on the autonomic nervous system and pain: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.
Sillevis R, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011 Jan;34(1):37-45.
Effects of a manually assisted mechanical force on cutaneous temperature.
Roy RA, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Mar;31(3):230-6.
Spinal manipulation alters electromyographic activity of paraspinal muscles: a descriptive study.
DeVocht JW, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005 Sep;28(7):465-71.
Stiffness and neuromuscular reflex response of the human spine to posteroanterior manipulative thrusts in patients with low back pain.
Colloca CJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001 Oct;24(8):489-500.
Electromyographic reflex responses to mechanical force, manually assisted spinal manipulative therapy.
Colloca CJ, et al. Spine. 2001 May 15;26(10):1117-24.
Mechanical force spinal manipulation increases trunk muscle strength assessed by electromyography: a comparative clinical trial.
Keller TS, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000 Nov-Dec;23(9):585-95.
Neurophysiologic response to intraoperative lumbosacral spinal manipulation.
Colloca CJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000 Sep;23(7):447-57.
Reflex responses associated with activator treatment.
Symons BP, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000 Mar-Apr;23(3):155-9.
Relationship between preload and peak forces during spinal manipulative treatments.
Conway PJ, et al. Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System. 1993 Mar;1(1): 52-58.

Activator Method - Leg-Length Inequality Assessment

Interexaminer Reliability of Supine Leg Checks for Discriminating Leg-Length Inequality
Woodfield HC, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011 May;34(4):239-46.
The relationship between pelvic torsion and anatomical leg length inequality: a review of the literature.
Cooperstein R. J Chiropr Med. 2010 Jun;9(2):96-7.
Interexaminer Reliability of a Leg Length Analysis Procedure Among Novice and Experienced Practitioners
Holt KR, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Mar-Apr;32(3):216-22.
Interexaminer reliability of the prone leg length analysis procedure.
Schneider M, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2007 Sep;30(7):514-21.
Interexaminer reliability of activator methods' relative leg-length evaluation in the prone extended position.
Nguyen HT, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 Nov-Dec;22(9):565-9.
Comparison of leg length inequality measurement methods as estimators of the femur head height difference on standing X-ray.
Rhodes DW, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995 Sep;18(7):448-52.
Leg length inequality and the side of low back pain, a pilot study.
Anderson RG, et al. COMSIG Rev. 1995 Jul;4(2):33-36.
Optoelectric measurement of changes in leg length inequality resulting from isolation tests.
De Witt JK, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1994 Oct;17(8):530-8.
Reactivity of leg alignment to articular pressure testing: evaluation of a diagnostic test using a randomized crossover clinical trial approach.
Haas M, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1993 May;16(4):220-7.
Responsiveness of leg alignment changes associated with articular pressure testing to spinal manipulation: the use of a randomized clinical trial design to evaluate a diagnostic test with a dichotomous outcome.
Haas M, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1993 Jun;16(5):306-11.
Interexaminer reliability of eight evaluative dimensions of lumbar segmental abnormality.
Keating JC, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1990 Oct;13(8):463-70.
Precise measurement of functional leg length inequality and changes due to cervical spine rotation in pain-free students.
Falltrick DR, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1989 Oct;12(5):364-8.
Interexaminer reliability of relative leg-length evaluations in the prone, extended position.
Fuhr AW, et al. Chiropr Tech. 1989 Feb;1(1):13-18.
Inter- and intra-examiner reliability of leg-length differential measurement: a preliminary study.
DeBoer KF, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1983 Jun;6(2):61-6.

Activator Method - Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation alters electromyographic activity of paraspinal muscles: a descriptive study.
DeVocht JW, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005 Sep;28(7):465-71.

Activator Method - Geriatrics

Spinal Manipulation Alters electromyographic Activity of Paraspinal Muscles: A descriptive Study
Roberts JA. J Chiropr Med. 2012 Mar;11(1):16-23.
Chiropractic care for patients aged 55 years and older: report from a practice-based research program.
Hawk C, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2000 May;48(5):534-45.

Activator Method - Fibromyalgia

Immediate effect of activator trigger point therapy and myofascial band therapy on non-specific neck pain in patients with upper trapezius trigger points compared to sham ultrasound: A randomised controlled trial.
Blikstad A, et al. Clin Chiropr. 2008 Mar;11(1):23-29.
Relative immediate effect of ischaemic compression and activator trigger point therapy on active upper trapezius trigger points: A randomised trial.
Gemmell H, et al. Chiropr. 2008 Dec;11(4):175-181.

Activator Method - Hypertension/Blood Pressure

Effects of chiropractic treatment on blood pressure and anxiety: a randomized, controlled trial.
Yates RG, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1988 Dec;11(6):484-8.

Activator Method - Radiology

Comparison of dynamic posteroanterior spinal stiffness to plain film radiographic images of lumbar disk height.
Colloca CJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 May;26(4):233-41.

Activator Method - Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument and protocol.
DeVocht JW, et al. Altern Ther Health Med. 2005 Nov-Dec;11(6):70-3.
Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument: a prospective case series.
Devocht JW, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Sep;26(7):421-5.

Activator Method - Case Studies

Chiropractic management of a 5-year-old boy with urinary and bowel incontinence.
Kamrath KR. J Chiropr Med. 2010 Mar;9(1):28-31.
Chiropractic care of a 6-year-old girl with neck pain; headaches; hand, leg, and foot pain; and other nonmusculoskeletal symptoms.
Roberts J, et al. J Chiropr Med. 2009 Sep;8(3):131-6.
Treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia using instrument-assisted manipulation of the fourth rib: a 6-year case study.
Julian MR. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Jun;31(5):389-91.
Chiropractic management of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a report of two cases.
Colloca CJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Sep;26(7):448-59.
Chiropractic management of chronic chest pain using mechanical force, manually assisted short-lever adjusting procedures.
Polkinghorn BS, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Feb;26(2):108-15.
A novel method for assessing elbow pain resulting from epicondylitis.
Polkinghorn BS. J Chiropr Med. 2002 Summer;1(3):117-21.
Chiropractic treatment of postsurgical neck syndrome with mechanical force, manually assisted short-lever spinal adjustments.
Polkinghorn BS, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001 Nov-Dec;24(9):589-95.
Chiropractic treatment of coccygodynia via instrumental adjusting procedures using activator methods chiropractic technique.
Polkinghorn BS, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 Jul-Aug;22(6):411-6.
Chiropractic treatment of frozen shoulder syndrome (adhesive capsulitis) utilizing mechanical force, manually assisted short lever adjusting procedures.
Polkinghorn BS. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995 Feb;18(2):105-15.
Instrumental chiropractic treatment of frozen shoulder associated with mixed metastatic carcinoma.
Polkinghorn BS. Chiropr Tech. 1995 Aug;7(3):98-102.
Conservative treatment of torn medial meniscus via mechanical force, manually assisted short lever chiropractic adjusting procedures.
Polkinghorn BS. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1994 Sep;17(7):474-84.
Treatment of Bell's palsy by mechanical force, manually assisted chiropractic adjusting and high-voltage electrotherapy.
Frach JP, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1992 Nov-Dec;15(9):596-8.
Vertebral subluxation and otitis media: a case study.
Phillips NJ. Chiropr. 1992 Jul;8(2):38-39.
Low force chiropractic care of two patients with sciatic neuropathy and lumbar disc herniation.
Osterbauer PJ, et al. Am J Chiropr Med. 1990 Mar;3(1):25-32.

Activator Method - Biomechanical

Variability of force magnitude and force duration in manual and instrument-based manipulation techniques.
Kawchuk GN, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006 Oct;29(8):611-8.
Three-dimensional vertebral motions produced by mechanical force spinal manipulation.
Keller TS, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006 Jul-Aug;29(6):425-36.
A hypothesis of chronic back pain: ligament subfailure injuries lead to muscle control dysfunction.
Panjabi MM. Eur Spine J. 2006 May;15(5):668-76.
The effective forces transmitted by high-speed, low-amplitude thoracic manipulation.
Herzog W, et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001 Oct 1;26(19):2105-10.
The diagnostic performance of vertebral displacement measurements derived from ultrasonic indentation in an in vivo model of degenerative disc disease.
Kawchuk GN, et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001 Jun 15;26(12):1348-55.
In vivo transient vibration assessment of the normal human thoracolumbar spine.
Keller TS, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000 Oct;23(8):521-30.
Theory of small vertebral motions: an analytical model compared to data.
Solinger AB. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2000 Feb;15(2):87-94.
Preliminary study of the effects of a placebo chiropractic treatment with sham adjustments.
Hawk C, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 Sep;22(7):436-43.
Validation of the force and frequency characteristics of the activator adjusting instrument: effectiveness as a mechanical impedance measurement tool.
Keller TS, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 Feb;22(2):75-86.
The effects of spinal manipulation on the intensity of emotional arousal in phobic subjects exposed to a threat stimulus: a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial.
Peterson KB. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1997 Nov-Dec;20(9):602-6.
Movements of vertebrae during manipulative thrusts to unembalmed human cadavers.
Gál J, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1997 Jan;20(1):30-40.
Oscillations of the vertebrae in spinal manipulative therapy.
Solinger AB. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996 May;19(4):238-43.
Measurement and analysis of the in vivo posteroanterior impulse response of the human thoracolumbar spine: a feasibility study.
Nathan M, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1994 Sep;17(7):431-41.
Biomechanical characterization (fingerprinting) of five novel methods of cervical spine manipulation.
Kawchuk GN, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1993 Nov-Dec;16(9):573-7.
Mechanical force, manually assisted short lever chiropractic adjustment.
Osterbauer PJ, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1992 Jun;15(5):309-17.
Skin accelerometer displacement and relative bone movement of adjacent vertebrae in response to chiropractic percussion thrusts.
Smith DB, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1989 Feb;12(1):26-37.
Accuracy of piezoelectric accelerometers measuring displacement of a spinal adjusting instrument.
Fuhr AW, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1986 Mar;9(1):15-21.

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Evidence Based Chiropractic
by Sheryl Walters Last Updated Mar 26, 2024 674 views this year