• Chiropractors use several methods to align a patent's spine and relieve pain.Stockbroker/Valueline/Getty Images
  
  Chiropractors diagnose and treat musculoskeletal system disorders. First used by D.D. Palmer, a Canadian who later moved to Iowa and founded the Palmer School of Chiropractic, the basis of chiropractic medicine is the belief that a dysfunctional vertebrae can cause not only back pain, but other medical problems like migraines, leg pain and poor posture. WebMD lists 50 different chiropractor techniques, but some methods prove much more popular than others.
  
  

The Gonstead Method

• Developed by Dr. Clarence Gonstead of Wisconsin, the Gonstead method is based on a full and exact examination of the pelvic girdle. According to Gonstead Clinical Studies Society, properly adjusted hip bones and lower back bones will stabilize the spinal column and provide a healthy alignment for the body as a whole. A Gonstead method chiropractor checks for pressure affecting discs separating vertebrae. Using a radiograph of the spine and a full analysis of the patient's posture and gait, the practitioner determines the exact cause of the pain or misalignment. He may also check spinal skin temperature using a specialized skin temperature gauge. Once the chiropractor determines the point of subluxation, or location where the slipped disc causes pinched nerve or other damage, he chooses the proper table or chair for the adjustment.
  
  The Cervical Chair is used for cervical adjustments. This chair makes it easier to "lift" hyperextended vertebrae. The Hydraulic Hi-Lo Table and Knee Chest Table are used for work on the lumbar region.
  
  The exact placement of a specific finger or thumb on the spine to make an adjustment is important. The chiropractor uses the tip of the index finger to make adjustments from the second cervical vertebrae to the vertebrae in the upper thorax.
  
  

The Activator Method

• A "low-force" chiropractic technique, the Activator Method, corrects imbalanced spines with the use of a spring-activated instrument. This mechanical force manual assisted (MFMA) device is placed on the problem location after a full analysis by the chiropractor.
  
  A practitioner skilled in the Activator Method will examine a patient's muscle function and their leg lengths. Theses tests help the chiropractor determine which vertebrates are the source of pain or misalignment.
  
  

Sacro-Occipital Technique

• Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT ) differentiates between the basic spine foundation, or sacrum, and the upper spine, or occipital. A SOT practitioner focuses on optimizing the way the top of the spine and its foundation correlate. The SOT technique uses visceral corrections to help regulate substandard body functions. Unlike other chiropractic methods, it looks at the cranio-sacral function. According to the Sacro-Occipital technique, a subtle, wavelike motion in the brain covering and spinal cord keep the body's organs functioning normally.
  
  The chiropractor will do a full body analysis, noting areas where nerve impulses are overactive or imbalanced. The practitioner then positions the patient's body so its weight acts as resistance. Sometimes a foam wedge is placed underneath the patient's pelvis or other areas as he lies on the chiropractic table. After a few minutes of lying and waiting for the body to adjust, the SOT practitioner examines the feet, ankles or other body parts for proper alignment by testing nerve impulses. This method is often used to relieve migraines, shoulder pain and poor posture.