Chiropractic adjustments are performed to align the spine and restore proper nerve function. In doing so, they can alleviate many different health conditions.

Understanding the Benefits of Spinal Adjustments for Pain Management

Benefits

Spinal adjustments can relieve pain and stiffness and improve overall health. The benefits include reduced inflammation, enhanced flexibility, and boosted athletic performance. They also help ease scoliosis symptoms and prevent further degradation of the spine.

Various forms of spinal manipulation, or SMT, are used to treat neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP). Research on SM has progressed significantly over the past few years. Studies suggest that SM effectively treats acute and chronic NP and LBP. In addition, several studies have shown that SM is at least as effective as standard treatments, such as taking prescription pain medications and undergoing physiotherapy.

Pain management with a chiropractor realigns the spine to improve overall body function, whereas most pain management options only address symptoms. This includes boosting the immune system and decreasing inflammation to reduce the risk of injury. These benefits are achieved through adjustments, manual therapy, exercise, and dietary recommendations.

Side Effects

According to Health Day, spinal manipulation is the controlled application of sudden force, manually or through specialized instruments, on specific spinal joints. This technique helps reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain and improves physical function. It also treats a variety of other ailments, such as headaches and migraines.

Neck or back pain afflicts over 11% of the global population and causes significant disability and a huge financial burden. These costs primarily come from treatment expenses and work absenteeism.

While spinal adjustments are considered safe, they can produce mild side effects such as joint soreness or muscle stiffness in the treated area. These reactions are typically minor and last 24 to 48 hours. Moreover, applying an ice pack can help manage them quickly. Less frequently, some people experience headaches following cervical spine manipulations. This is usually due to increased blood flow and will resolve within a few hours. Drinking plenty of water before and after treatment is essential to prevent dehydration.

Treatment Options

For people who suffer from back pain, the condition can cause many symptoms that make daily tasks difficult. These may include difficulty sleeping, sitting, and walking. In addition, it can affect a person’s quality of life and ability to participate in recreational activities.

Fortunately, several treatment options for back pain can provide relief. One of these is spinal manipulation, which involves a licensed practitioner using the hands or another device to apply force and manipulate the joints in the spine. This type of treatment is also called spinal mobilization or chiropractic spinal adjustment.

Several studies have confirmed that spinal manipulation effectively treats non-specific neck and lower back pain. In a study published in the British Medical Journal, spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) was more cost-effective and effective than physiotherapy or general practitioner care. In addition to helping with back pain, spinal adjustments can help alleviate headaches and migraines. This is because problems with the spine often cause headaches and migraines.

Cost

Spinal pain is a common, disabling condition that carries considerable costs for individuals (including treatment expenses and lost work productivity) and society at large. Conservative interventions such as spinal manipulation, exercise therapy, and self-management have the potential to reduce these costs.

Inflammation is a major cause of chronic pain and stiffness. Regular chiropractic care can help alleviate inflammation and improve your mobility and range of motion. It can also boost athletic performance by relieving tight muscles and joints.

Spinal adjustments can also help with vertigo, a sensation that causes you to feel dizzy and disoriented. This is often caused by head or neck injuries and can affect your balance. Regular chiropractic treatments can realign the spine and restore balance to prevent vertigo episodes. This can help you feel more at ease and avoid any complications from the condition. Depending on your insurance plan, your visits to the chiropractor may be covered. Generally, Medicare covers manual manipulation of the spine.