What Do Chiropractic Adjustments Do?

A chiropractic care/adjustment, also known as spinal manipulation, is a relatively new technique in which qualified practitioners (chiropractors) use their hands or a small tool to apply a sudden but controlled force to a spinal joint. The purpose of this procedure is to align the joint, enhance the mobility of the spinal cord, and the physical function of your body.

Nowadays, chiropractic adjustments are being done for several joint conditions related to the spinal cord. The most common uses of spinal manipulation include;

Low Back Pain

Several non-invasive therapies, including medications and non-drug alternatives, are available for low-back pain. The American College of Physicians states that spinal manipulation is one of a variety of treatment choices that can help people with acute or chronic low-back pain.

A 2010 study concluded that spinal manipulation was safer and better for immediate, short-term relief from acute or subacute low-back and neck pain than placebo. Manipulation was also more reliable and effective than acupuncture for back conditions causing chronic pain. 

How does chiropractic care help lower back pain?

• It involves adjustments and manipulations to the spinal cord and other parts of the body to realign the bones and joints. Realignments help to reduce pain, restore mobility and improve strength, balance, and coordination.

Neck Pain

In 2012, an NCCIH-funded study of 272 patients showed that for patients with acute neck pain, either home exercises or spinal manipulation seemed to be more effective than pain-relieving medications in the short and long term. Another research in 2015 looked at the results of 51 trials with 2,920 participants and also reported weak evidence that manipulation of the spinal cord may provide short-term pain and discomfort relief from acute or chronic neck pain.

How does chiropractic care help neck pain?

• Muscle stress can put irregular stress on the bony structures of the neck, which can cause the spinal column to misalign itself. Chiropractors can relieve muscle tension, an effect of chronic stress that contributes to inflammation of the nerves in the neck – thus provide pain relief. 

Headaches

Spinal manipulation is one of several complementary approaches (including massage therapy) to prevent migraines, which is as helpful as headache-relieving medicines used to prevent tension headaches and migraines.

How does chiropractic care help relieve headaches?

• It helps relieve headaches by boosting spinal function and releasing tension on your neck and the base of the head. A chiropractor may also advise on posture, ergonomics, movements, and methods of relaxation to prevent headaches. 

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder that involves widespread pain across the entire body. A patient usually has at least 11 out of 18 different tender points on the body to be diagnosed with FM. Besides pain, patients often experience long-term fatigue, disruptive mood, and sleep. Other common FM-related disorders include irritable bowel syndrome, some autoimmune diseases, and some psychological conditions.

How does chiropractic care help relieve Fibromyalgia?

• Chiropractors are also neuromusculoskeletal specialists. One of the primary focuses of spinal manipulation is the positive impact of its joint adjustments on a patient’s nervous system. Chiropractic adjustments can, therefore, strengthen the nervous system of an FM patient, which reduces pain and chronic fatigue and gives them a better chance of recovery.

Take Away

While chiropractic care is generally safe and efficient, it is your responsibility to find the best chiropractic specialist for your joint condition. Be sure to read patient reviews, ask for referrals from your physician, and prepare yourself for an initial consultation with any queries you may have about treatment. The best results are often obtained from a dedicated, trained chiropractor.