What The Hard Science Says About Chiropractic Adjustments

If you've ever investigated chiropractic adjustment therapy as an option for treating an issue you have, you've also likely encountered a lot of passionate pro and con arguments. Finding scientifically grounded information on which kinds of problems tend to respond well isn't always easy. Let's take a look at what the real deal is with chiropractic adjustment therapy services.

A Drug-Free, Non-Surgical Approach

When trying to address pain management concerns in particular, many people want to stay as drug-free as possible. In a world where many doctors are quick to prescribe heavy painkillers, it's worth thinking about how you may be able to reduce your use of prescriptions that you may quickly build up a tolerance to. Chiropractic adjustment therapy is also non-invasive, and it makes a solid option to consider if you're not wild about undergoing surgery.

Just be aware there are limits to what can be accomplished. Chiropractic adjustment therapy is often a first resort, but it should not be seen as a perfect substitute for other forms of medical care or pain management.

Where to Find Serious Studies

The U.S. government operates a branch of the NIH that's known as the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The NCCIH is dedicated to getting hard-science answers regarding many of the most widely used non-surgical and non-drug solutions out there. Not too surprisingly, a good portion of the chiropractic research covers the topic of spinal manipulation meant to deal with lower-back pain.

According to a survey of more than 4 million Americans cited by the NCCIH, some form of chiropractic therapy has been tried by 74% of the population. 66% of the respondents said they had gained "great benefit" from treatments.

What is Treatable?

Manipulative therapy has been found to be useful in cases where individuals are suffering neck pains, joint conditions at their extremities, lower-back pain and migraines. Claims regarding the effectiveness of therapies in dealing with mid-back pain, sciatica and fibromyalgia have so far been ruled inconclusive but harmless. It has been scientifically invalidated as a useful solution for conditions like asthma, hypertension and premenstrual cramps.

Finding Help

Generally speaking, listen to the things a professional claims they can treat and that will give you a good sense of whether they're dealing straight with you. It's also a good idea to check professional credentials, including state licensing and membership in organizations like the American Chiropractic Association.


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