The chiropractic profession has provided patients with a non-surgical, drug-free, safe and effective solution to painful conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and migraines for more than 125 years. The purpose of this article is to provide information on a recent research study validating the use of chiropractic treatment for various spinal conditions.
A scientific research study published in the American Family Physicians Journal in February 2019 determined that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) can provide improvement for patients with acute or chronic low back pain. For patients with neck pain, research showed that SMT provides better relief and function compared to drugs such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. The authors of the article also added that manipulative therapy was found to be as effective as the prescription drug amitrptiline for the management of patients with migraines.
Chiropractic doctors use a form of SMT called “chiropractic adjustments.” Chiropractic adjustments are designed to correct misalignment and improper movements of the spine. These adjustments are provided by highly trained chiropractors to perform this therapy.
For some conditions, a chiropractor can perform a manual method called “mobilization.” Mobilization is a gentle, low-force technique that also helps with spinal conditions. Some patients are not suitable for chiropractic manipulation or adjustment and mobilization may be just what these patients need.
Many people wonder how chiropractors determine when there is a problem in a certain area of the spine. Chiropractic education focuses on this specialty.
Chiropractors learn to “feel” if there is an abnormality in the spinal area. This practice is called “palpation.” As a student in a chiropractic school, many hours are spent developing this skill. Students learn to feel when muscles are abnormally contracted, tense, or spasming. They learn to feel for swelling, inflammation, or edema. They can train to feel if the bones in the spine, called vertebrae, are misaligned or if the joints in the spine are moving incorrectly.
Chiropractic school also places an emphasis on learning the anatomy or parts of the body. Chiropractors get extensive classroom work to learn about the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and fascia of the human body. Students also spend many hours in a laboratory conducting an actual dissection of human corpses.
With this training, many feel that Doctors of Chiropractic are the leading health specialists in the areas of palpation and use of manual chiropractic adjustments, manipulation and mobilization therapies.
As research shows, it is best to see a chiropractor for spinal problems such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches.