How Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic Works to Ease Your Chronic Pain
If living with chronic musculoskeletal pain has you down, you're likely exploring every avenue for relief. Chiropractic spinal manipulation has emerged as a beneficial treatment option, and recent research is showing just how and why it works.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND SPINAL MANIPULATION
Spinal manipulative therapy good goes beyond your spine. According to recent research, it activates multiple positive mechanisms throughout your nervous system. (3) When chiropractors direct controlled force to spinal joints, it stimulates sensory receptors that send signals to your brain, helping to decrease pain perception and boost joint function. The pathways through which spinal manipulation delivers relief are complex and interconnected. Research shows that manipulation can decrease muscle tension, boost blood flow, and modulate pain signals traveling through your spinal cord. It also appears to prompt the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in your body, creating a flow of therapeutic effects that extend throughout your musculoskeletal system.
GENTLE ALTERNATIVE: FLEXION-DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE
Not all spinal manipulation involves twisting motions and popping sounds. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic offers a gentler, non-thrust technique called flexion-distraction (aka Cox® Technic) that uses rhythmic movements to decompress spinal joints. Recent ultrasound research has analyzed how this technique affects the spine via its controlled movement of spinal segments, showing its precision and mechanical spinal effects. (1) (This builds on the foundational study of the biomechanical effects of Cox® Technic.) For patients who like a subtler approach or have conditions that make traditional manipulation unsuitable, flexion-distraction as performed at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic offers an effective alternative that still provides therapeutic benefits.
EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS
Multiple studies champion the use of chiropractic care for chronic musculoskeletal conditions. A comprehensive review published in JBJS Reviews examined the evidence base and reported that spinal manipulation demonstrates meaningful benefits for many patients dealing from chronic back and neck pain. (2) The research explains that when appropriately applied, chiropractic care can be an effective part of a comprehensive pain management strategy. Another paper in the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association explored the underlying mechanisms, discussing how spinal manipulation affects neuroplastic changes—essentially helping re-educate how your nervous system processes pain signals over time. (3) The research keeps coming and gets more interesting all the time!
A SAFE, PATIENT-CENTERED APPROACH
When done by licensed chiropractors, spinal manipulation has a strong safety profile. The key is working with a qualified practitioner like yours at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic who performs systematic assessments and develops an individualized chiropractic treatment plan based on your specific condition and needs.
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the process a chiropractic patient can anticipate going through with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management toward relief.
If chronic pain is negatively impacting your quality of life in McHenry, make an appointment with us for chiropractic care that may deliver the relief you've been seeking through evidence-based care with us at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic.
