Arizona Pain Specialists

Chiropractic Manipulation

by Nicole Berardoni M.D, Paul Lynch M.D, and Tory McJunkin M.D Chronic back and neck pain are the most common reasons musculoskeletal complaint among people and may arise from damage or irritation to spinal structures. These include the facet joints, vertebrae (bones), discs (shock absorbers), ligaments, tendons, muscles, spinal cord, and nerves. Usually Chronic back and neck pain are the most common reasons the symptoms of back and neck pain resolve within four people seek chiropractic care. Pain is a frequent weeks. However, pain often returns leading to a high percentage of the American population with a chronic neck and low back pain. It is this population of people that usually seek the care of a chiropractor. Hippocrates (60-375 BC), one of the fathers of medicine said “In Disease, Always Look to the Spine First.” Spinal manipulation has been used as a healing art for nearly 5000 years. The ancient Egyptians and the ancient Chinese both practiced spinal manipulation. Two thousand years ago Hippocrates wrote “On the Articulations.” In it he advised physicians that “…subluxations take place in different degrees…but when the bone has slipped, or been displaced to a less extent, it is easier to reduce such cases than the other.” In the 19th century there were “bonesetters” who practiced a healing art much like chiropractors today. Daniel David Palmer the founder of modern chiropractic said, “Chiropractic embraces the science of life, the knowledge of how organisms act in health and disease, and also the art of adjusting the neuroskeleton.” Although there are surgical options for neck and back pain, many people respond to less invasive and more conservative treatment option. Bed rest is contraindicated in most causes of neck and back pain as activity can promote healing. Chiropractic manipulations may correct the structural malformation that is producing pain, therefore restoring the body to its natural form and improving function. Symptoms that can be experienced when the spine is out of alignment are pain, tenderness, swelling, tingling, numbness, or muscle spasms of the spine, back, and neck. Many times these sensations may extend into the upper and lower extremities.

Mechanism of Treatment

Before receiving therapy, your pain physician may recommend radiological studies (x-rays) to evaluate the cause of your pain. Then your physician will examine you with a physical exam as well as evaluating your movement and posture. The word “Chiropractic” comes from combining the Greek words Cheiros and Praktikos meaning “Hand Practice.” A spinal bone which has lost its normal placement or alignment, is said to be “subluxated.” The theory behind manipulations states that an impulse traveling along a nerve in close proximity to a subluxated bone becomes distorted. In simple terms Chiropractic Theory can be summarized by: Subluxation = Interference = Disease. Chiropractors focus on restoring proper structure and function. They detect, diagnosis, and treat subluxations a misalignment of joint surfaces that is less than full dislocation. Subluxations create tension and stress on all components of the spine. These subluxations can affect the bones, ligaments, discs, muscles, and nerves. Following consultation and the physical examination, an individual regimen will be devised to help you specifically. This program is centered around chiropractic manipulation, improves spinal alignment and motion, therefore relieving nerve irritation, pressure, and pain. Most people experience a progressive relief of symptoms following their adjustments. Most Chiropractors recommend multiple adjustments to effectively treat your symptoms. Since the adjustments improve motion to previously locked joints, the ligaments and tendons stretch back to their normal length and position. While this occurs, you may experience some mild muscle soreness following your manipulation, however, within days the benefits of the treatment often become apparent.

Research

A large randomized multi-center study was done in 2004 that looked at treating low back pain with exercise versus spinal manipulation. There were 1,334 participants from 181 general practices across the United Kingdom. The patients were followed up at three months and one year. There findings reveal that exercise produced statistically significant improvements in mean Roland disability score at three months only. Manipulation produced statistically significant improvements in Roland disability scores at three months and at one year. Manipulation followed by exercise produced significant improvements in Roland disability scores at three months and at one year. An older study compared the effectiveness of chiropractic versus hospital outpatient management of low back pain over three years. 741 patients were randomized to chiropractic clinics or hospital outpatient management. According to total Oswerty scores improvement in all patients’ pain at three years was about 29% improved in those treated by chiropractors. The beneficial effect of chiropractic on pain was particularly clear. More patients rated chiropractic care helpful at three years than hospital management. At Arizona Pain Specialists we understand that not all conditions can be effectively treated by allopathic medicine. That is why we have a Board Certified Naturopathic and Chiropractic Physician working closely with us to successfully treat you. We happily offer this pain management service to patients in Scottsdale and the entire Phoenix metro area. Call us today.

Journal Articles

2004;329;1377 BMJ United Kingdom back pain exercise and manipulation (UK BEAM) randomised trial: effectiveness of physical treatments for back pain in primary care. 1995;311:349-351 BMJ Randomised comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient management for low back pain: results from extended follow up