8 scientific studies that show how chiropractic improves certain conditions
8 scientific studies that show how chiropractic improves certain conditions
Finding a good chiropractor is not only important for reducing the affect that bad posture has on your spine and body, but here at Johns Green Chiropractic Clinic, Kilkenny, we know how important it is for anybody wanting to improve their overall health.
Chiropractors specialise in preventing neuromuscular based diseases and we here at the chiropractic clinic in Kilkenny, we specialise in that.
But don’t just take our word for how a chiropractor can help you, here is how the evidence supports what we do here at the Kilkenny clinic.
1. Sciatica
A chiropractic adjustment has a 72 percent success rate in treating sciatica and other related complaints. This is show by a clinical trial published in the European Spine Journal. This compares favourably with physical therapy (20 percent success rate) and corticosteroid injections (50 percent success rate) according to this clinical trial.
Compared to most treatments, few can even compare to the chiropractic adjustment when it comes to relieving back pain and healing. Our Chiropractor here at the clinic in Kilkenny performs specific adjustment tailored to the problematic areas of your spine.
2. Low Back and Neck Pain
In 2003 the British Medical Journal published a study which involved 183 patients with neck pain. Patients were randomly assigned to Physiotherapy (mainly exercise based), Manual Therapy (mainly chiropractic), or GP (counselling and drug treatment). The patients were followed over a 52-week period.
The outcome of the study showed that chiropractic adjustments had a faster recovery than both Physiotherapy and GP care. The cost of the intervention by chiropractor also compared favourably to Physiotherapy and GP care. Chiropractic came in at one third the cost of the other two treatments.
Further research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics studied patients with chronic lower back pain. This showed greater improvements in pain levels and satisfaction at one month compared to GP treatments. 56 percent of chiropractic patients Vs 13 percent of GP patients reported that their low back pain was “better” or “much better”. One third of patients attending a GP reported that there back pain was worse after one month of care.
3. Headaches (Tension and Migraine)
Headache are second only to back pain the most commonly treated condition by a chiropractor. Here at Johns Green Chiropractic clinic, Kilkenny, 25 percent of the people we see suffer from some form of Headaches.
Over 230 peer-reviewed articles reference the chiropractic adjustment and it ability to cure, reduce and prevent the onset of headaches. One group trial of 100 people who received chiropractic care saw the number of headaches drop by 90 percent, when the headaches did come on there was a reduction in the pain of 49 percent.
4. Neurological Conditions
New research using upright MRI scans is show how Chiropractic adjustments to the upper part of the neck affect various brain based conditions in a positive way.
MRI scans are showing that following chiropractor specific, upper neck adjustments, cerebral spinal fluid and blood flow are significantly increased in the brain. Research has shown that cerebellar invagination (when the cerebellum drops below the skull line) is being reversed and brain plaquing, common in multiple sclerosis patients, is disappearing.
5. Blood Pressure
A study in 2007 published in the Human Journal of Hypertension, showed that one upper neck adjustment, performed by Chiropractors in this study, had the same effect as two drugs for lower blood pressure. The even most interesting outcome of this study is that the effects of one chiropractic adjustment lasted more than six months! Compared to the group placebo group, patients who got the chiropractic adjustment to the upper neck, had a 14 mm Hg greater drop in systolic (the top number when interpreting blood pressure readings) blood pressure. It should an 8 mm drop in the diastolic pressure (the bottom blood pressure reading) compared to the placebo group.
Other studies have been done finding and the finding were similar. Other studies show that in hypotensive patients (low blood pressure) under chiropractic care, the blood pressure raised to normal levels post adjustment. This is fascinating as it highlights the importance of removing a blockage to the nervous system to restore the bodies communication systems
6. Surgery Prevention
Chiropractic has long been recognised as a good intervention to prevent spinal surgery. The Journal of the American Medical Association published its guidelines for people suffering with Lower back pain. This suggests that people who are suffering with lower back or leg pain should first try chiropractic before considering surgery.
7. Frozen Shoulder
Recently a clinical trial was published showing how patients suffering with frozen shoulder responded to chiropractic care.
Of 50 patients, 16 had a complete resolution of their complaint, 25 showed a 75 percent or greater improvement,
8 showed a 50 percent to 75 percent improvement and 1 patient showed a 0 to 50 percent improvement.
8. Scoliosis
Chiropractic spinal adjustments coupled with muscular rehabilitation techniques, may prevent the progression of scoliosis. The “Clear Institute” a non-profit organisation set up to empower health care professionals with affective way to treated patient with scoliosis have perfected a model and shown that scoliosis can be treated without restrictive braces or surgery. In numerous case studies, patients have seen a 10 to 30 percent reduction in their curvatures associated with scoliosis.
