The most common question I get in practice is what is that clicking gun and what does it actually do? Well, that clicking thing is a device we call an activator adjusting instrument (AAI) or more commonly as it is known, an Activator. The Activator was created by Arlan Fuhr in the 60s as an alternative method to the manual adjustment (AM, 2023). You see, the activator initially was created as part of the Activator Method Chiropractic Technique (AMCT), a technique designed to locate, analyse and correct spinal dysfunction using a lower force. Over time chiropractors have realised the huge benefits this instrument creates and use it more now as a force applicator than as part of the original protocol it was designed for.
The activator is designed as a mechanical, hand-held, spring-loaded instrument that provides a chiropractic adjustment with high speed and low force. This gives an affective adjustment that can rival any manual adjustment. You can look at a chiropractic adjustment as an equation requiring three factors to be effective. They are Speed, depth, and force. Although the activator uses less force its speed plays a big factor in making it an effective tool. To put this into perspective, no manual force can be as quick. This allows the same neurological changes to occur, helping rid the body of any neural interference, enabling the body better function (Huggins et al., 2012).
Due to the low force factor, we find activator a popular choice for elderly patients due to possible conditions like osteoporosis or the ability to get into certain positions comfortably (Russel, 2017). We also find is a great asset for nervous patients as not all people like the ‘Cracking’ aspect of a manual adjustment. And lastly, due to the small form factor and the head being small, allows it to be very specific, allowing it to get into hard-to-reach places that can be tricky to do manually.
Activator is a great tool, so popular now in the chiropractic world that 72.7% of chiropractors in Australia and New Zealand choose to use it alongside their manual techniques, while only a small fraction of that primarily use the actual protocol for it (Huggins et al., 2012). So hopefully next time your chiropractor uses an activator you what they are doing or if you are used to being manually adjusted, try giving the activator a chance!
References
Activator Methods, (2023). Retrieved form https://activator.com/about-us/team/dr-arlan-fuhr/
Huggins T, Boras AL, Gleberzon BJ, Popescu M, Bahry LA, (2012). Clinical effectiveness of the activator adjusting instrument in the management of musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of the literature. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012 Mar;56(1):49-57. PMID: 22457541; PMCID: PMC3280118.