Chiropractic care involving spinal manipulation is a type of manual therapy for back pain. The procedure involves the movement of synovial joints in the back. Any joint in the back may be treated by spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation may also be referred to as an adjustment. The procedure is carried out primarily by chiropractors and osteopaths. The procedure is performed to relieve back pain and increase range of motion. Adjustments are performed to bring the vertebrae into alignment and aid in healing. The theory behind spinal manipulation is that the structure of the spine affects its functioning.
Chiropractors use a variety of different approaches to treating back pain in addition to the regular spinal adjustments that they do. The approaches they use are all geared at treating a wide assortment of back conditions. Just like a physician would, the chiropractor will examine you and do a thorough assessment before he is able to diagnose the root of the problem and then take steps to remedy it. This helps him to determine what your spinal alignment is like as well as your posture. This will help him to determine if your spine is working as it should be and if it is as mobile as it should be. It also allows him a first hand look at the mechanics of how your body moves. This is not the same for every person and that is why he must observe it for himself.
Spinal manipulation should only be carried out by a trained professional. A physical examination should be conducted first to rule out contraindications. A neurological examination should be conducted to ensure that the patient does not have nerve root damage. Contraindications involve bone conditions (e.g., tumors, infection, and osteoporosis), nerve conditions, (e.g., spinal cord compression), blood vessels disorders (e.g., aortic aneurysm and severe clotting disorders), and hypermobility (e.g., lax ligament syndrome).
There is no definitive explanation for the reported beneficial effects of spinal manipulation. Various explanations have been suggested: 1) The procedure releases entrapped synovial folds; 2) Manipulation relaxes hypertonic muscles; 3) The procedure disrupts adhesions in or around the joint; 4) Manipulation realigns displaced segments; and 5) Manipulation repositions structures within the joint.
The effectiveness of spinal manipulation in relieving back pain is a controversial subject. The treatment seems to help some people with low lack pain not associated with a referred pain pattern. However, spinal manipulation does not help all individuals with back pain. Spinal manipulation is most likely to have a beneficial effect on acute and recurrent lower back pain if administered within the first 6 weeks of onset. Within this time frame, spinal manipulation appears to improve pain and increase mobility. There is no conclusive evidence showing that spinal manipulation is effective in treating chronic lower back pain. Spinal manipulation has also not been found to be effective in the treatment of nerve root conditions.
It is possible for your spine to need an adjustment without you even knowing it. Visiting a chiropractor can be a way to relieve pain and discomfort in the back because of restrictions that exist in the many joints that make up the spine.
