our techniques

At Holst Chiropractic we offer a variety of techniques designed to address vertebral subluxations and the nerve interference that significantly limits human potential.

In addition to traditional chiropractic care, we provide soft tissue techniques, SOT, and Torque Release Technique..

Torque Release Technique

Torque Release Technique (TRT) is a state-of-the-art chiropractic technique that was born as a result of a comprehensive peer-reviewed research study. The study was designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of chiropractic on wellness.

“The Brain Reward Cascade” is a scientific model that provides an understanding of how the body expresses a state of well-being. In 1994, the Holder Research Institute discovered that only vertebrates have receptor sites in the brain associated with reward. Their research design established a relationship between the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and vertebrate's ability to express a state of well-being. A deficiency in this state of well-being is referred to as Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS), and is manifest by feelings of anxiety, anger, fear or the craving of substances, which alleviate negative emotions. Due to its relationship to The Brain Reward Cascade, a subluxation-free spine becomes mandatory for the expression of one's greatest potential. The study demonstrated that, if subluxated, Reward Deficiency Syndrome is manifest, a significant breakthrough in chiropractic research.

To establish this relationship in the research study, the Holder Institute developed a technique, which incorporated the philosophy and technology of seven of the most respected historically proven techniques. Thus was born Torque Release, a more specific state-of-the-art chiropractic technique.

TRT in a nutshell

Subluxation is a term used in chiropractic to describe a vertebra that is out of balance from the rest of the spine. In this misaligned state, spinal nerves are affected and an interference of normal nerve impulses is created. Three types of trauma or stress cause subluxation: physical, mental, and chemical.

Since the primary subluxation causes an imbalance in our spine, secondary and tertiary subluxations are created in compensation. This is a reflex in our body known as the “Righting Mechanism”, and the purpose is to keep our head over our pelvis. A gross example of the righting mechanism is demonstrated in scoliosis where secondary and tertiary curves are created to keep our head over the pelvis.

In its purest form, chiropractic needs to be concerned with the detection and correction of the primary subluxation. Since secondary and tertiary subluxations are created by our body to maintain balance, correction of these compensatory subluxations, without correcting the primary, is inappropriate. In fact, just as our body creates the secondary and tertiary subluxation, our body will correct them once the primary subluxation is corrected. The key then is to find the primary and correct it.

Let's Be More Specific . . .

Since TRT focuses on the detection and correction of primary subluxations, it is a more specific and less traumatic form of chiropractic care. No longer do we attempt to correct what your body naturally created to maintain balance. Being more specific, Torque Release has a much greater affect on removing nerve interference throughout your spine.

Although chiropractic and TRT is not a treatment for any specific condition, it is postulated that improvement of spinal nerve flow through specific chiropractic adjustments contributes to improved homeostasis, and thus allows your body to express a greater level of health. Research has demonstrated that you will have a stronger immune system and a heightened sense of well-being.

TRT is performed with an instrument, which was specifically designed for TRT. This instrument provides a precise low-force method to correct subluxation. Although patients may initially miss the usual popping and cracking associated with a typical chiropractic adjustment, TRT is a much less traumatic way to correct subluxations and many people notice a tremendous sense of relaxation and well-being immediately after their TRT adjustment. Take a few slow deep breaths after your adjustment and allow your body to unwind as your body releases deep neurological stress that has accumulated over the years.

What To Expect

As with every other chiropractic technique, TRT utilizes an examination process and a series of signs to determine where and when to make the adjustment. However, unlike other techniques that adjust all subluxations, TRT must first find the primary one.

The process to find the primary subluxation involves a reflex in our body known as the Functional Short Leg. This reflex works by gently pushing on a suspected primary subluxation and evaluating the effect on leg length difference. It should be noted that since most primary subluxations are in the neck or pelvis, these regions are tested the most. During this evaluation process you will feel gentle pushes on your neck, pelvis, and buttock. Please be aware that this is all part of the evaluation process.

Additional Research

Researchers at the University of N. Texas and the Holder Institute discovered that addictive and compulsive disorders, which include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tourettes Syndrome, carbohydrate binging, and gambling all demonstrated improvement with TRT.

In a 2003 case study involving two women who were experiencing infertility, TRT protocols were utilized for both the evaluation and application of care. During their course of chiropractic care both women were able to conceive.