WHY CHIROPRACTIC?
LOW BACK PAIN
Extensive research underscores the significance of spinal manipulation, a hallmark of chiropractic care, as a vital option for effectively managing low back pain. Current investigations are delving into the relationship between treatment duration and frequency, seeking to optimise outcomes for patients. A noteworthy study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) assessed long-term effects in over 600 individuals with low back pain and revealed that chiropractic care involving spinal manipulation was not only comparable to conventional medical treatment but also provided sustained relief for up to 18 months. This evidence highlights the potential of chiropractic intervention as a robust approach for those seeking enduring pain relief and improved quality of life.
NECK PAIN
A 2014 evidence-based guideline (1) made the following recommendations:
• For acute neck pain, a recommendation was made for SMT as a treatment for both short- and long-term improvements in pain and number of days to recover.
• For chronic neck pain, SMT was also recommended as a treatment option benefiting pain and disability using 2 sessions per week for 9 weeks.
A 2013 evidence-based guideline (2) from the Italian Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine recommended, SMT for non-specific acute and chronic neck pain
MAINTENANCE CARE
Research presented at the 2017 European Chiropractors’ Union (ECU) convention and later published in PLOS ONE highlights the potential benefits of regular chiropractic maintenance care (MC) for low back pain (LBP). This multi-center, randomized clinical trial in Sweden included 328 participants, who were assigned to either a maintenance care group or a control group receiving treatment only when experiencing pain.
The results showed that participants in the MC group, who received just two additional preventive visits while asymptomatic, reported 12.8 fewer days of bothersome low back pain annually compared to the control group. This suggests that regular chiropractic care, even when symptoms are not present, could reduce the overall impact of LBP, offering almost two additional pain-free weeks each year. This study supports the idea that maintenance care could enhance long-term outcomes for individuals with recurrent LBP
HEADACHES
Primary headaches are prevalent, affecting roughly 16% of the general population. Studies show that around 5% of adults experience daily headaches, with about 7 million adults in the U.S. reporting headaches every other day. Three types: migraine, tension-type, and cervicogenic headaches make up the majority of cases and can significantly impact quality of life, sometimes to a degree comparable to heart disease. Headaches also present a notable economic burden, with an estimated 157 million workdays lost each year, costing the U.S. about $50 billion in absenteeism and healthcare costs.
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Randomised trials have shown clinically important differences in favour of spinal manipulation for some types of headaches.
References:
1.Haas M(1), Groupp E, Aickin M, Fairweather A, Ganger B, Attwood M, Cummins C, Baffes L.J Dose
response for chiropractic care of chronic cervicogenic
headache and associated neck pain: a randomized
2. Haas,M., Spegman, A., Peterson, D., et al Dose
response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for
DEVELOPMENT IN SPORT
MORE TO COME...
A study on adolescent basketball players explored the impact of regular chiropractic care combined with a three-month strength and conditioning program on physical performance. Thirty-one elite athletes, aged 16-19, participated, with the experimental group receiving weekly cervical adjustments in addition to their training. Both groups were tested on key performance metrics: sprint speed, agility, max strength (1RM back squat and bench press), endurance (65 kg bench press for max reps), and conditioning (17-line shuttle run). The experimental group showed substantial improvements in most areas, particularly in strength, endurance, and speed, while the control group saw fewer gains. This study highlights how integrating chiropractic adjustments with structured training may significantly boost young athletes’ physical capabilities and reduce injury risk, suggesting its effectiveness as part of athletic training programs.
References:
The Effects of Chiropractic Care Combine with a Three
Month Physical Training Program on the Development
of Adolescent Basketball Players