How The Dorn Method Works
One of the key and unique aspects of The Dorn Metohd is the approach used
to getting joints to move more readily back into their correct natural positions
and then stay there. There is no magic about The Dorn Method, it is really all based
on physics, fact and common sense, and a little help from the client who rather than being a passive subject, actively works to assist
the Dorn Therapist.
The correction of a misaligned joint can sometimes prove quite difficult, and a
forceful manual correction might cause more damage than good. A twisted or badly
seated spinal column may have vertebrae which are displaced, being held out of place by muscles,
and any attempt to move the joints back into their correct positions will usually
end up a fight against these muscles. However rather than forcefully trying to move
the vertebrae back into place, simple Dorn techniques are employed which
‘distract’ these muscles whilst corrections are made.
This muscle distraction is achieved by asking the client to actively participate
in the treatment. This involves the client either swinging a leg, arm or the head
from side to side whilst at the same time the Therapist guides the joint back into
its proper position using gentle thumb or hand pressure. During movement the muscles
are in a distracted or relaxed state, and it is therefore much easier to realign joints without having
to overcome excessive muscle resistance. The dynamic movement provided by the client
working together with the Therapist enables logical mechanical principles of counter
pressure and levering forces to come into play.
The beauty of this technique is that the Therapist is actually working with
the client's body, and this form of dynamic correction is therefore usually readily
accepted by our bodies. This form of treatment is also completely safe because it
requires only light pressure from the Therapist, involving no thrust moves.
Furthermore, Dorn Method therapy does not unnecessarily stress muscles and ligaments through jerky manipulation
that could overextend those muscles, and also allows the spine and joints to be adjusted much more frequently.
During or after therapy, clients are also shown a set of simple self help exercise techniques which they can take away with
them to practice regularly at home. These exercises are meant to simulate the corrections made by the Therapist and to help maintain
balance in the body hopefully preventing re-occurance of any problems.