What is Torque Release Technique (TRT)?

Definition, Benefits, and How It Works

Torque Release Technique (TRT) is a specialized, non-linear chiropractic method that focuses on correcting neurological tone without manual manipulation. It utilizes an FDA-cleared handheld instrument called the Integrator™ to deliver a gentle, high-speed adjustment to the spine. Unlike traditional chiropractic, TRT does not involve joint twisting, popping, or cracking, making it a preferred option for patients seeking a gentle approach to nervous system regulation.

Quick Facts about TRT

• Instrument Used: The Integrator™ (FDA-cleared).

• Primary Goal: To correct spinal subluxations and normalize neurological tone.

• Sensation: A quick, light impulse (feels like a tap); no cracking sound.

• Safety: Safe for all ages, including infants and post-surgical patients.

• Origin: Developed from the first federally funded randomized clinical trial on chiropractic.

How TRT Differs from Traditional Chiropractic

While traditional chiropractic often focuses on structural alignment (moving a bone back into place using manual force), Torque Release Technique operates on a “Tonal” model.

In this framework, the spine is viewed similarly to a guitar string. If the tension (tone) in the nervous system is too high or too low, the body malfunctions. TRT adjustments are designed to “tune” the nervous system, restoring proper communication between the brain and the body.

The Science: The Integrator™ Instrument

The effectiveness of TRT relies on the Integrator™, a tool distinct from other spring-loaded devices (like the Activator) because it reproduces the dynamic thrust of a manual adjustment.

The Physics of the Adjustment

Traditional manual adjustments use body weight (mass) and moderate speed to generate force. TRT uses Acceleration.

• Speed: The Integrator fires at 1/10,000th of a second.

• Benefit: This speed exceeds the body’s defensive reflexes. The impulse corrects the nerve interference before the surrounding muscles can tighten up to guard the area.

• Result: A highly effective correction requires almost zero force, eliminating the need for twisting or “cracking.”

Who Is a Candidate for TRT?

Because the technique avoids joint rotation and muscle resistance, it is clinically indicated for a wide range of patients, including those who may not tolerate manual adjustments well.

• Neuropathy: TRT is gentle enough to treat damaged nerves without irritating inflamed tissue.

• Pediatrics: The instrument can be adjusted to microscopic force levels, safe for newborns with colic or nursing difficulties.

• Anxiety & Stress: By addressing the limbic system (the brain’s emotional center), TRT often facilitates a parasympathetic “rest and digest” response.

• Spinal Surgery Patients: Safe for patients with rods, screws, or spinal fusions.

The Research: Why TRT Was Developed

The Torque Release Technique was not developed in a vacuum. It was born out of a randomized clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which conducted research into addiction and the brain’s reward cascade.

The “Holder” Research

Dr. Jay Holder, the founder of TRT, conducted research demonstrating that the frequency of the nervous system could be altered to improve well-being. The study found that when spinal subluxation (interference) was corrected using a specific, non-linear force, patient outcomes—even those with complex chemical imbalances—improved drastically.

Why “Torque”?

The name comes from the physics of the spinal cord attachment. The spinal cord is attached at the top (occiput) and bottom (sacrum/coccyx) of the spine.

• Imagine twisting a towel. As you twist (torque) it, tension builds through the entire length.

• The Integrator™ is designed to release the built-up torque in the dural attachment, effectively “unwinding” tension throughout the entire spinal cord rather than just moving a single bone.

Mechanoreceptors and the Brain

TRT works by stimulating mechanoreceptors—sensory nerve endings in the spine that send signals to the brain. Because the Integrator fires faster than the body’s pain fibers (nociceptors), the brain receives a pure “correction” signal, free of the “noise” of muscle guarding. This clear signal allows the brain to reorganize spinal tone immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TRT the same as the Activator Method? No. The Activator is a spring-loaded positioning tool. The Integrator is a toggle-recoil instrument that fires automatically at a specific pre-tension. It is the only instrument designed to reproduce the specific three-dimensional thrust of a manual hand adjustment.

Does the adjustment hurt? No. Most patients feel only a quick, light impulse. There is no pain, and many find the lack of “cracking” significantly less stressful than manual chiropractic.

Why are the appointments shorter? In manual chiropractic, time is often spent massaging or stretching muscles to overcome resistance before an adjustment. Because the Integrator moves faster than the body’s reflexes, muscle resistance is not a factor. A full neurological correction can often be achieved in minutes.