1. Diversified Technique
The most widely practiced chiropractic method — precise manual adjustments delivered by hand to specific spinal segments. Diversified technique allows for direct, targeted correction of misalignments affecting nerve function. Dr. Dow uses this as a foundation across most care plans, adapting the specifics to each patient’s presentation.
2. Thompson Technique
Uses a specialized drop table with sections that release during the adjustment — reducing the force needed while improving the precision of the correction. Particularly effective for lower back and pelvic alignment, and well suited for patients who prefer a gentler adjustment experience.
3. Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP)
One of the most researched techniques in the field — over 340 published studies — CBP focuses on restoring the spine’s natural curves and structural alignment through a combination of adjustments, rehabilitative exercises, and postural traction. Unlike techniques that address symptoms locally, CBP targets the underlying structural pattern responsible for creating them. Patients pursuing corrective care and long-term spinal curve restoration will receive CBP as a central component of their plan.
4. Pettibon Technique
The Pettibon system is more than an adjusting technique — it’s a comprehensive spinal rehabilitation protocol. Patients use wobble chairs, repetitive cervical traction, body weighting systems, and vibration platforms to warm up and activate the spine before treatment, and to strengthen the stabilizing muscles that hold the adjustment in place afterward.
Patients pursuing structural correction also learn home-based CBP spinal molding — customized to their specific X-ray findings — to continue the corrective process between visits. The combination of in-office Pettibon rehabilitation and home CBP molding produces significantly better structural outcomes than adjustment alone.
5. Upper Cervical Technique
Targets the occiput atlas and axis — the top two vertebrae of the spine and the skull — with precise, gentle corrections. The upper cervical spine has an outsized influence on overall neurological function, balance, and systemic health. Upper cervical misalignment has been associated with headaches, migraines, vertigo, neck pain, and a range of neurological symptoms. This technique is particularly relevant for patients with a history of head or neck trauma.
6. Arthrostim
An instrument-assisted technique that delivers rapid, low-force adjustments through a handheld device. The Arthrostim produces a precise impulse without the thrust associated with manual adjustment — making it particularly appropriate for patients who are acute, post-surgical, elderly, or apprehensive about traditional hands-on techniques. It’s also useful for areas of the spine where instrument precision outperforms manual force.
7. Syntropy Technique
A highly refined approach that integrates multiple chiropractic methods into a single, flowing treatment experience. Syntropy-trained chiropractors focus on reading the body’s response in real time — dropping in, allowing the nervous system to relax, finding the precise moment of release rather than applying force. The adjustments are among the most powerful in chiropractic when performed well, precisely because they work with the body’s natural timing rather than against its resistance.
Dr. Dow personally seeks out Syntropy-trained chiropractors for his own adjustments. That’s not a marketing statement — it’s a reflection of what he believes produces the best outcomes when the technique is mastered.
8. Drop Table Technique
Uses a specialized table with sections that drop slightly during the adjustment — similar in principle to Thompson technique but applied across different spinal regions. The drop mechanism allows effective realignment with reduced force, making it comfortable for a wide range of patients including those who are new to chiropractic care.
What to expect in your care plan
For most patients, care involves a combination of these techniques rather than a single method. An acute patient who can barely relax may receive Arthrostim and acupuncture first — before any manual adjustment is appropriate. A patient pursuing structural correction will work through a Pettibon warm-up protocol, receive CBP-focused adjustments, and continue with home spinal molding between visits.
The chiropractic techniques used at our Madison WI clinic evolve as your spine responds. What’s appropriate in week one isn’t always what’s appropriate in week six. Dr. Dow reassesses continuously and adjusts the approach based on what your body is actually showing.
If you have questions about which techniques might be appropriate for your situation — or if you’ve experienced a specific chiropractic technique at another Madison WI clinic and want to know whether we use it — that’s exactly the kind of conversation we’re happy to have at your first visit.