Torque Release Technique

The human spine is an extraordinary system of engineering and biology — a dynamic column of interlocking joints that protect the spinal cord while allowing fluid motion and communication throughout the entire body. When even a few of these joints stop moving as they should, the result can be stiffness, inflammation, pain, and irritation to nearby nerves. 

At the Liebell Clinic, our goal is to restore proper movement to those restricted spinal joints so the body can heal and function at its best. Torque Release Technique (TRT®) is one of the advanced methods I use to achieve that goal — a precisely engineered approach to chiropractic care that blends neurological science with modern technology.

The Innovator Behind TRT 

Torque Release Technique® was developed by Dr. Jay Holder, a chiropractor and physician who sought to bring reproducible precision and neurological consistency to spinal adjustments. His research, conducted at the University of Miami School of Medicine, led to the invention of the Integrator™, a patented chiropractic instrument designed to deliver a gentle, consistent impulse that stimulates motion within specific spinal joints.

What Torque Release Technique Does 

Every spinal joint has a normal range of movement — small but essential motions that allow flexibility and protect the nervous system. Life’s physical stresses, postural strain, repetitive activities, and injuries can cause certain joints to become stuck within their normal range of motion. The joint hasn’t dislocated or “gone out,” as many people say; it’s more accurate to say that it’s “locked in.” 

When that happens, movement is restricted, and inflammation and nerve irritation often follow. This can lead to pain, muscle tension, and changes in how your body compensates and functions. The purpose of chiropractic care — whether delivered by hand, table, or instrument — is to restore proper movement where motion is missing. When the joints move the way they’re designed to, relief follows naturally.

Torque Release Technique uses the Integrator™ instrument to stimulate these restricted joints with a precisely calibrated impulse. It’s fast, targeted, and reproducible — meaning the same adjustment can be delivered accurately every time. By improving spinal joint motion and relieving pressure on surrounding nerves, TRT helps the body reestablish normal patterns of movement, coordination, and balance.

Why Precision Matters 

In chiropractic care, what matters most is results, not force. Every patient’s spine is unique, and so is every adjustment. TRT provides a modern way to engage the nervous system and spinal joints with mechanical accuracy. The Integrator™ was designed through engineering research to reproduce the ideal speed, thrust, and recoil of a specific chiropractic adjustment. This allows for both measurable precision and gentle care suitable for patients of all ages.

The goal is to activate motion where it has been lost. Whether that motion is restored by hand or by instrument, the effect is the same: when your spinal joints move properly, inflammation decreases, muscles relax, and the nervous system communicates more efficiently with the rest of the body. 

The Science and Research 

Dr. Holder’s work connected spinal joint function to the brain’s reward and relaxation systems — an area known as the Brain Reward Cascade. His studies suggested that improving spinal motion through precise adjustments could help normalize neurochemical balance related to stress and tension. Subsequent clinical research has documented improvements in posture, concentration, and overall wellbeing in patients receiving Torque Release care.

While research continues, the principle is simple and well-observed: better spinal movement equals better function. That’s what we see every day in practice.

Torque Release Technique at the Liebell Clinic 

At the Liebell Clinic, Torque Release Technique is one of several advanced methods I use to help patients regain healthy spinal motion. It’s the perfect complement to the Atlas Orthogonal Technique (the foundational method of the Liebell Clinic) and Thompson Chiropractic Technique. I combine elements of all of these as dictated by patients’ needs.

During your visit, we identify which areas of your spine are restricted or imbalanced and use the Integrator™ to restore natural movement. Many patients notice immediate changes — easier motion, reduced tension, or simply a sense of lightness. 

TRT fits seamlessly within our clinic’s overall philosophy: using science-based, precise, and individualized care to help each patient achieve long-term improvement. It is one of many tools in modern chiropractic; it is valuable not because it replaces traditional methods, but because it enhances them with accuracy and consistency.

The Bottom Line 

You don’t “throw your back out.” More often, you’ve thrown it in — a spinal joint has stopped moving the way it should. Torque Release Technique helps put that movement back where it belongs. By restoring mobility, calming irritated nerves, and helping the body rebalance itself, TRT can be a life-changing part of you feeling better and getting healthier.