The Gentle, Precise Chiropractic Technique — Done at the Highest Level
At Back Specialists in Sioux Falls, we don't just offer the Activator Method as one option among many. It is the only technique we use. That singular focus means our patients receive a level of Activator expertise that is rare anywhere in the region — and unmatched in the Sioux Empire.
Dr. Bruce Jon Hagen is an Advanced Proficiency Rated Activator chiropractor — one of only 5 in the entire Sioux Empire to hold that distinction. With nearly 50 years of practice and thousands of patients treated exclusively with the Activator Method, Dr. Hagen brings a depth of skill and precision to every adjustment that only comes from a lifetime of dedicated practice.
If you've been hesitant about chiropractic care because you're concerned about twisting, cracking, or forceful manipulation, the Activator Method may be exactly what you've been looking for.
What Is the Activator Method?
The Activator Method is a chiropractic technique developed in 1967 that uses a small, handheld, spring-loaded instrument — called the Activator Adjusting Instrument — to deliver precise, low-force impulses to specific joints in the spine and extremities. It is the most widely researched instrument-assisted chiropractic technique in the world and has been approved by Medicare as a recognized chiropractic treatment.
Unlike traditional manual adjustments, the Activator delivers its corrective force so quickly — faster than the body's muscles can respond — that the targeted joint moves into proper alignment without any muscle guarding, twisting, or audible "cracking." The result is a controlled, comfortable, and highly targeted adjustment every time.
The Activator Method involves two key components:
1. A systematic assessment protocol — Before any adjustment is made, Dr. Hagen uses a precise leg-length analysis and neurological testing procedure to identify exactly which segments of the spine are misaligned and need correction. This takes the guesswork out of treatment and ensures every adjustment is necessary and appropriate.
2. The instrument-assisted adjustment — Once the areas of dysfunction are identified, the Activator instrument delivers a quick, gentle impulse to the specific joint — restoring proper alignment, reducing nerve irritation, and improving function without excessive force.
Why Patients in Sioux Falls Choose the Activator Method
The Activator Method is particularly well-suited for patients who:
-
Prefer a gentle approach without manual twisting or cracking
-
Have had previous spinal surgery and need a low-risk adjustment technique (see our Failed Back Surgery Syndrome page)
-
Are older adults or have conditions like osteoporosis or arthritis
-
Are experiencing acute pain and cannot tolerate high-velocity manipulation
-
Have had unsatisfying results with traditional chiropractic care
-
Are nervous or apprehensive about chiropractic for the first time
Because the force is precisely controlled and isolated to one joint at a time, the Activator Method is safe and comfortable for patients of virtually all ages and health backgrounds — from children to seniors, from athletes to post-surgical patients.
Conditions We Treat With the Activator Method
At Back Specialists, Dr. Hagen uses the Activator Method to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
-
Low back pain — the most common condition we treat
-
Neck pain and cervical spine dysfunction
-
Headaches and migraines stemming from spinal tension
-
Sciatica and radiating leg pain
-
TMJ disorder
-
Neurological conditions affecting spinal function
-
Age-related spinal degeneration
The instrument's precision makes it especially effective for complex or sensitive cases where traditional manipulation would carry too much risk or discomfort.
The Benefits of Activator Method Chiropractic Care
Gentle on the body.
The low-force impulse is comfortable even for patients in acute pain, those who are pregnant, or those with degenerative conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis.
Precisely targeted.
Every adjustment is directed at a specific joint identified through Dr. Hagen's systematic assessment — not generalized manipulation of the surrounding area.
No muscle guarding.
Because the instrument fires faster than the nervous system can react, muscles cannot tense up against the adjustment. This means the joint moves more freely and the correction is more effective.
No twisting, cracking, or popping.
Patients who are uncomfortable with the sounds and sensations of manual adjustments find the Activator Method a much more relaxed experience — many barely feel anything at all during the adjustment itself.
Minimal to no post-treatment soreness.
Unlike some manual techniques that can leave patients sore for a day or two, Activator adjustments typically produce little to no aftercare discomfort.
Promotes long-term joint stability.
By treating joints without triggering protective muscle tensing, the Activator Method supports lasting improvements in joint alignment and ligament stability over time.
Safe for all ages.
From pediatric patients to seniors in their 80s and 90s, the Activator Method is appropriate across the full spectrum of patient ages and health conditions.
What to Expect at Your First Activator Appointment
Many patients come to us not knowing what to expect from a chiropractic visit — especially those who may have had uncomfortable experiences elsewhere. Here's what a typical visit with Dr. Hagen looks like:
Step 1 — Health history and consultation. Dr. Hagen will review your medical history, current symptoms, and any previous treatments or surgeries. This context is essential to developing a safe and effective treatment plan.
Step 2 — Systematic assessment. Using the Activator Method's proprietary leg-length analysis and neurological testing protocol, Dr. Hagen identifies the specific spinal segments that need correction. This assessment is performed at every visit to ensure adjustments remain targeted and appropriate as your spine changes through care.
Step 3 — Instrument-assisted adjustment. Dr. Hagen uses the Activator instrument to deliver a precise, low-force impulse to each identified segment. Most patients are surprised by how gentle and quick the process is. A full adjustment typically takes just a few minutes.
Step 4 — Post-adjustment assessment. The leg-length analysis is repeated after the adjustment to confirm the corrections have been made effectively.
Most patients report feeling noticeably better within the first few visits. Because the Activator Method works with the body's natural healing processes rather than forcing change, improvements tend to build progressively with each session.
Advanced Proficiency: What It Means and Why It Matters
Not all Activator chiropractors are equal. The Activator Methods organization offers a tiered proficiency rating system that recognizes practitioners who have gone beyond basic certification to achieve mastery of the technique.
Advanced Proficiency Rated is the highest designation available — and it requires extensive additional training, clinical testing, and demonstrated expertise in the full Activator assessment and adjustment protocol.
Dr. Bruce Jon Hagen holds Advanced Proficiency Rated status, making him one of only 5 chiropractors in the entire Sioux Empire to achieve this distinction. When you choose Back Specialists, you're not seeing a provider who occasionally uses the Activator — you're seeing one of the most credentialed Activator practitioners in the region, for whom this method is a lifelong specialty.
Activator Chiropractic FAQs
What makes the Activator Method different from a traditional chiropractic adjustment?
Traditional chiropractic adjustments are performed by hand and often involve rotating or thrusting the spine, which can produce a popping or cracking sound as gas is released from the joint. The Activator Method uses a small, spring-loaded instrument to deliver a precise, low-force impulse directly to the targeted joint — with no twisting, no cracking, and no manual force.
At Back Specialists, the Activator Method is the only technique Dr. Hagen uses, meaning patients receive care that is entirely gentle and instrument-assisted from start to finish.
Is the Activator Method effective, or is it less powerful than manual adjustments?
The Activator Method is one of the most extensively researched chiropractic techniques available and has been approved by Medicare as a recognized treatment. Its effectiveness comes not from the amount of force applied, but from the speed and precision of the impulse.
Because the instrument fires faster than muscles can react, the targeted joint moves freely without resistance — making the adjustment highly effective. Most patients begin noticing reduced pain and improved mobility within the first few visits.
Who is the Activator Method best suited for?
The Activator Method is appropriate for patients of virtually all ages and conditions. It is particularly well-suited for older patients, those with osteoporosis, arthritis, or degenerative disc disease, patients recovering from spinal surgery, individuals with acute pain who cannot tolerate manual manipulation, and anyone who has been hesitant about chiropractic due to concerns about forceful adjustments.
Dr. Bruce Jon Hagen also regularly treats patients with complex cases including Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, auto accident injuries, and work injuries using the Activator exclusively.
How many Activator adjustments will I need before I feel better?
Results vary depending on the nature and severity of your condition. Many patients experience a noticeable reduction in pain and discomfort after just three adjustments. Chronic or complex conditions may require a longer course of care.
At your first visit, Dr. Hagen will assess your spine and develop a personalized treatment plan with a clear outline of expected visit frequency and duration based on your specific situation.
What does it mean that Dr. Hagen is Advanced Proficiency Rated in the Activator Method?
Advanced Proficiency Rated is the highest credential available through Activator Methods International — the organization that develops and oversees the Activator technique. It requires completing extensive additional training and passing rigorous clinical evaluations beyond basic Activator certification.
Dr. Hagen is one of only 5 Advanced Proficiency Rated Activator chiropractors in the entire Sioux Empire, and he practices exclusively with this method — making Back Specialists one of the most specialized Activator practices in South Dakota.
Ready to Experience the Activator Difference?
Whether you're dealing with chronic back pain, recovering from an injury, or simply looking for a gentler chiropractic experience, Back Specialists is here to help. Dr. Hagen and his team have been serving the Sioux Falls community for nearly five decades — one precise, gentle adjustment at a time.
Call or text 605-361-1700 or schedule online to book your first visit.