Do chiropractic adjustments work?

Chiropractic adjustments have been a subject of fascination and debate for many years. Some people swear by their effectiveness in relieving pain and improving overall well-being, while others remain skeptical.

You want the short answer? Chiropractic adjustments absolutely work! But in this article, we will delve into the world of chiropractic adjustments and explore the compelling evidence that supports their efficacy.

Understanding Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments, also sometimes known as spinal manipulations, are a central component of chiropractic care (along with nutrition, exercises and lifestyle modifications).

They involve the skilled application of gentle and specific force to an identified joint in the spine or other articulations of the body (like the hip or ankle). The goal is to restore normal functioning and remove interference to the nervous system promoting the body's natural ability to heal itself.

How Chiropractic Adjustments Work

When the spine is out of alignment, it can cause issues in our muscles and nerves, altering the way they work. This can lead to issues with how our body moves and how our brain and nervous system function. (1) This can also contribute to lost of normal curves of the spine.

Research suggests that correcting the spine's alignment can help improve how our nerves and muscles work. With our nervous system working well, we are able to respond and adapt appropriately to our environment. This essential link between our senses and our physical actions facilitates everything in our body, from basic reflexes to complex movements and activities. (1)

1. Restoring Proper Alignment:

One of the fundamental principles of chiropractic care is that misaligned, or subluxated, joints can cause various health issues over time, including abnormal muscle tension, stiffness, joint degeneration and poor posture. Chiropractors use their hands or specialised tools to adjust to affected areas, realigning the spine and joints. A properly aligned and functional spine reduces pain, improves mobility and stability, improves posture and allows you to move easily and freely.

2. Pain Relief:

Chiropractic adjustments are well-known for their ability to alleviate pain, particularly in the back, neck, and joints. By realigning the spine, your body it able to heal itself by reducing inflammation, correcting muscle tension and by adopting a better posture. Patients often experience a significant reduction in pain after adjustments.

3. Enhancing Nervous System Function:

The spine is the "house" of the central nervous system and provides a safe passage for nerves that send information from your brain to your body, and your body to your brain. Subluxations in the spine can disrupt nerve communication, leading to a variety of health problems, including pain, digestive issues, sleep problems, joint pain and headaches. Chiropractic adjustments help ensure that the nervous system operates at its optimal level, by removing any interference and restoring proper communication thereby improving overall health and well-being. A properly aligned and a optimally functioning nervous system means elevated health!

Scientific Evidence Supporting Chiropractic Care

1. Back Pain Relief:

Numerous studies have shown that chiropractic care is effective in treating acute and chronic back pain. A 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggested that chiropractic adjustments were a viable option for patients with low back pain. (2)

2. Neck Pain:

Chiropractic care has also been found to provide relief for neck pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2015 concluded that spinal manipulative therapy (chiropractic adjustments) is effective for acute neck pain and offers similar benefits to other common treatments.(3)

3. Headaches and Migraines:

Chiropractic adjustments can be beneficial for individuals suffering from tension headaches and migraines. Research has shown that these adjustments can reduce the frequency and intensity of these debilitating headaches. (3B)

4. Risk of fall and reflex times:

When is it too late to start chiropractic care? Never!

A study from Heidi Haavick, assessed whether 12 weeks of chiropractic care was effective in improving sensorimotor function (how your body communicates with your brain) associated with fall risk, compared with no chiropractic, in community-dwelling older adults living in New Zealand. The results were amazing : people with chiropractic improved their stepping reaction time, joint position sense and improvements were also seen in their quality of life. (4)

Do you need more? :) The UK Evidence Report concluded that spinal manipulation is effective in adults for: acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain; migraine and headache; dizziness; for several extremity joint conditions; and thoracic manipulation is effective for acute/subacute neck pain. (5)

Conclusion

The evidence supporting the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments is substantial and continues to grow.

Chiropractic care offers a drug-free and non-invasive approach to managing pain and improving overall health.

If you're struggling with pain, discomfort, or simply want to optimise your well-being, consider giving chiropractic care a try. We offer a free discovery call to know if chiropractic is for you! Book now for free by following the button below

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References :

(1) A. Oakley P, M. Moustafa I, E. Harrison D. The Influence of Sagittal Plane Spine Alignment on Neurophysiology and Sensorimotor Control Measures: Optimization of Function through Structural Correction [Internet]. Therapy Approaches in Neurological Disorders. IntechOpen; 2021. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95890

(2) Qaseem, A., Wilt, T. J., McLean, R. M., & Forciea, M. A. (2017). Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Journal of the American Medical Association, 317(16), 1624-1633.

(3) Paige, N. M., Miake-Lye, I. M., Booth, M. S., Beroes, J. M., Mardian, A. S., Dougherty, P., ... & Shekelle, P. G. (2015). Association of spinal manipulative therapy with clinical benefit and harm for acute low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 162(11), 877-888.

(3b) Bryans R, Descarreaux M, Duranleau M, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011;34(5):274-289. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.008

(4) Holt KR, Haavik H, Lee AC, Murphy B, Elley CR. Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care to Improve Sensorimotor Function Associated With Falls Risk in Older People: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016;39(4):267-278. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.02.003

(5) Bronfort, G., Haas, M., Evans, R. et al. Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report . Chiropr Man Therap 18, 3 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-18-3