Spinal manipulation is a type of physical therapy that involves the intentional manipulation of the spine or peripheral joints to facilitate movement and relieve pain.
The technique is effective for a variety of conditions, including back, neck, and head pain. It involves the use of gentle thrusts on joints within a specific range of motion.
Spinal manipulation is a manual technique performed by a trained physical therapist
A physical therapist can do spinal manipulation in a variety of ways. Some practitioners use a more gentle approach than others. Others use a tool called an “activator” that applies small force to the vertebra. The effectiveness of spinal manipulation is difficult to measure, as it does not lend itself to traditional studies.
However, one study published in 2007 found that spinal manipulation is moderately effective for treating both acute and chronic low back pain. In addition, the study found that spinal manipulation effectively treated most participants with neck pain.
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It is a pain reliever
Spinal manipulation is a therapy that involves manipulating the spine to relieve pain. It is often used in conjunction with exercise and massage to alleviate pressure on joints and improve nerve function. It is a widely used treatment in both traditional and Western medicine, and can be performed by chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, and physical and occupational therapists.
Spinal manipulation can help relieve pain in many forms, including chronic and acute pain. It may help restore the material to disks between vertebrae, relieve muscle tension, and even improve a person’s ability to sleep. It may also help reposition small joints in the spine.
It reduces drug dependence
A recent study shows spinal manipulation can help reduce drug dependence and pain. In fact, some studies have shown that spinal manipulation can reduce a patient’s pain rating by as much as a point. The study was conducted by Dr. Paul Shekelle, an internist and researcher at the Rand Corp.
Spinal manipulation is a gentle treatment that involves manipulating the joints in the spine. It helps relieve pressure on the joints and improves the range of motion.
Moreover, most studies indicate that spinal manipulation is generally safe. However, some side effects include soreness at the manipulation site and fatigue.
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It improves function
Spinal manipulation is a noninvasive procedure that can help reduce joint and soft tissue dysfunction and increase the range of motion. Its effects begin immediately but can last for several hours or even days. Patients can also get guidance for home exercises and additional treatments.
A therapist will usually manipulate the spine on an adjustable padded table. The table will have various parts that can be dropped to apply different forces.
In a systematic review of 26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), researchers analyzed the results and concluded that spinal manipulation improved function and reduced pain in low back pain patients. Further, most patients did not require medical care after four weeks, making the study results even more encouraging.
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It causes disc herniation
A herniated disc is when a disc in the spine ruptures, placing pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. Chiropractic care can help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by disc herniation. Chiropractors use various tests to determine the level of herniation and the overall health of the spine.
While chiropractic treatment is common, it is also associated with an increased risk of lumbar disc herniation. Although there is no high-quality evidence for this association, chiropractic spinal manipulation is commonly used for back pain.
It is possible that clinicians have a misconception about the risk of disc herniation and may be inadvertently contributing to lumbar disc herniation.
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