Not everybody wants to be cracked.
Some patients love the satisfying pop of a manual adjustment. Others feel anxious, especially around the neck. And for some, pain or sensitivity makes hands-on techniques feel too intense.
That’s why we offer both traditional manual adjustments and the Activator Method.
This gentle, precise tool lets us personalize care for every patient, whether you need a light touch, a more hands-on approach, or a mix of both.
Patients often ask us:
- “I really like the regular ‘cracking’ adjustments, but I’m uncomfortable with them on my neck. Is there another way you can help me?”
- “Do you adjust knees, wrists, ankles, etc.?”
- “I threw my back out and can barely move, can you still help me?”
- “Can you check and adjust my baby or child to make sure their spine is healthy?”
YES! The Activator (aka “The Clicker”) helps with all of these things. It’s a valuable tool we use every day to help our patients get back to 100%.
Every patient is unique, and what your body needs this month might be totally different from your last visit. That’s why we use a variety of techniques in our office, allowing Dr. Shulman and Dr. Neely to personalize each and every adjustment.
What’s an Activator?
The Activator is a handheld instrument that delivers a gentle, precise adjustment to the spine. It’s a highly effective “low force” technique that allows us to restore proper movement and improve nerve function, two of the most important reasons to get adjusted.
Symptom relief (like pain) often comes along with that, but real healing starts when the spine moves properly and the nerves can send clear messages from your brain to your body. That’s how we help your body truly get well.
How Does It Work?
The Activator is spring-loaded and releases a quick, targeted impulse to specific areas of the spine or joints. The force can even be customized to each patient’s needs, making it extremely gentle and precise.
Because the pulse is so fast, the surrounding muscles don’t have time to resist or tense up, making the adjustment effective and comfortable. There’s no “cracking” or twisting. Most patients often lie face down during treatment and feel relaxed throughout.
When Do We Use It?
The Activator is often used:
- If you’re in too much pain to tolerate a manual adjustment
- If you prefer a gentler method (even if it’s just for neck adjustments)
- If you have severe arthritis, muscle spasms, or are immobile
- For children and babies
- To adjust smaller joints like elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, and feet
It’s an excellent option on its own, or alongside manual adjustments, depending on what your body needs that day.
What Are the Benefits?
- Precision – We can be incredibly exact with where and how we adjust
- Low-force – Gentle, effective care with no cracking or twisting
- Patient comfort – Especially helpful for those in pain or who feel uneasy about manual adjustments
- Versatility – Great for a wide range of conditions and all ages
Your Comfort. Your Choice. Your Results.
At Pure-Health, we often use both manual adjustments and the Activator in the same visit, because your care should always match your needs.
The most important part of any visit is communication with your chiropractor. Whether you love hands-on adjustments, prefer the Activator, or like a mix of both, we’ll make sure your care feels right for you, and gets you back to feeling your best.
Curious if the Activator is right for you?
We’d be happy to chat or show you how it works. Just reach out, we’re here to help.
