There are many different ways to adjust a patient and the activator is just another one of our tools in our tool box to give our patients the best possible adjustment. The activator is a small hand held chiropractic instrument that is used to make precise adjustments. However, it is commonly remembered by patients as that "little clicking tool".  It is said that around 70% of all chiropractors use the activator and Activator Method for treatment of their patients. This puts the activator method as a top 5 most popular technique for chiropractors.  


The activator was first invented by Arlan Fuhr in 1978. Dr. Fuhr’s goal was to create a softer and less invasive type of adjustment, but have the same effectiveness as any other adjustment. The activator tool itself has come a long way since 1978. There are 5 different types of activator tools, but most doctors will use either the second or fourth edition. The newest, Activator 5, is an electronic tool as opposed to the other 4 that are more of a spring loaded mechanical device. Each tool has different settings to either increase or decrease tension. We tend to use more tension for the lower back and the smaller setting/tension for the neck and more sensitive areas. The activator 5 is the first FDA approved electronic chiropractic instrument.


The activator tool was made to go with a specific technique called the Activator Method. This method was founded by Arlan Fuhr, who used a combination of multiple chiropractic methods that were already being used by many doctors. The Activator Method uses specific leg checks and active and passive movements by the patients to indicate specific areas of the spine, pelvis, upper and lower extremities, and head that need to be adjusted. How can we tell? By looking at the leg lengths and comparing if one leg is longer or shorter than the other. The leg lengths will change with specific movements due to joint dysfunctions, issues with body mechanics, and neurological reflexes.


With the combination of the Activator Method’s indicated areas in need of adjustments and the very specific adjustment used by the activator tool, we can deliver a precise adjustment that will deliver the same effects as any other type of adjustment. Our main goal with having the activator tool is to give our patients options with different chiropractic techniques while they are being adjusted.

Dr. Kenton is our chiropractor that has taken advanced training in the Activator Method.