Chiropractic Care: Understanding the Science Behind Spinal Adjustments
In the landscape of healthcare options, chiropractic care stands as a non-invasive approach focused on the relationship between the spine and nervous system. But what exactly is a chiropractic physician, what happens during an adjustment, and what does the research say about its effectiveness? This blog post dives into the evidence-based world of chiropractic care.
What Is a Chiropractic Physician?
A chiropractic physician, commonly known as a chiropractor, is a healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders, with an emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment or manipulation of the spine.
Education and Training:
-Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) complete a rigorous four-year doctoral graduate program
-Curriculum includes over 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience
-Study includes courses in anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, and diagnostic imaging
-Must pass national board exams and meet state licensing requirements
Unlike the misconception that chiropractors are not “real doctors,” they are indeed highly trained healthcare providers who earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. While they don’t prescribe medication or perform surgery, they are trained to recognize when patients need referral to other healthcare providers for such interventions.
What Is a Chiropractic Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment (also called spinal manipulation) is a precise procedure where trained specialists use their hands or small instruments to apply controlled, sudden force to spinal joints. The goal is to improve spinal motion and improve the body’s physical function.
The Adjustment Process:
- Assessment: Before any adjustment, chiropractors conduct a thorough evaluation, including health history, physical examination, and sometimes diagnostic imaging.
- Specific positioning: The patient is positioned to target specific joints.
- Controlled force application: Quick, gentle force is applied to a joint, pushing it beyond its usual range of motion.
- Audible release: Often accompanied by a popping or cracking sound (cavitation) caused by gas release from the joint.
- Post-adjustment assessment: Checking for immediate improvements in range of motion or pain reduction.
How Chiropractic Care Helps the Body: The Evidence
Chiropractic care is supported by a growing body of research demonstrating effectiveness for various conditions:
1. Low Back Pain
One of the strongest areas of research support is for low back pain treatment:
-A 2017 systematic review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found spinal manipulation provided modest improvements in pain and function for acute low back pain, comparable to outcomes from common medical treatments.
-The American College of Physicians’ 2017 clinical guidelines recommend non-pharmacologic treatments, including spinal manipulation, as first-line approaches for acute and chronic low back pain.
-A 2018 study in JAMA Network Open found that chiropractic care combined with usual medical care provided greater pain relief and improvement in function compared to medical care alone for low back pain patients.
2. Neck Pain and Headaches
Research supports chiropractic care for neck pain and certain headache types:
-A 2019 review in BMJ Open found that cervical manipulation and mobilization provided similar pain relief and functional improvements for neck pain.
-The 2016 Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain found manipulation and mobilization to be effective interventions for neck pain.
-Multiple studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments can reduce the frequency and intensity of cervicogenic headaches and migraines.
3. Neurophysiological Effects
Research has demonstrated several physiological effects of chiropractic adjustments:
-Increased mobility in the treated joint and surrounding joints
-Relaxation of hypertonic muscles
-Pain reduction through gate control mechanisms and descending pain inhibitory systems
-Decreased inflammatory markers in some studies
-Changes in central nervous system processing of pain
4. Cost-Effectiveness
Several studies have examined the economic impact of chiropractic care:
-A 2016 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that patients who saw a chiropractor as their initial provider for low back pain had lower overall healthcare costs compared to those who first saw other provider types.
-Research from the University of Montreal found that for patients with low back pain who received chiropractic care, the rate of spine surgery was reduced by 60% compared to those who didn’t receive chiropractic care.
What to Expect During Chiropractic Care
Beyond the adjustment itself, chiropractic care often involves:
-Comprehensive approach: Many chiropractors incorporate nutritional advice, exercise recommendations, and lifestyle counseling.
-Treatment plans: Rather than one-time adjustments, chiropractors typically develop care plans with decreasing frequency as improvement occurs.
-Complementary modalities: May include electrical stimulation, ultrasound, massage, heat/cold therapy, and rehabilitative exercises.
Safety Profile
When performed by trained professionals, chiropractic adjustments are generally safe:
-A 2017 systematic review found that adverse events from spinal manipulation were rare.
-The most common side effects are temporary soreness, stiffness, or mild pain in the treated area.
-Serious complications are extremely rare, especially for lower spine adjustments.
The field of chiropractic care continues to evolve with increasing research supporting its effectiveness for certain conditions, particularly musculoskeletal pain. While not a panacea for all health conditions, evidence suggests chiropractic care can be an effective component of a comprehensive approach to musculoskeletal health, offering a non-pharmaceutical option with a good safety profile.
If you’re considering chiropractic care, look for providers who take an evidence-based approach, communicate clearly about expected outcomes, and work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals when needed.
Note: This blog post provides general information and is not intended as medical advice. Consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding your specific health conditions and treatment options.
Leave a Reply