How Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries Works to Ease Your Chronic Pain
If living with chronic musculoskeletal pain has you down, you're likely looking at all your options for relief. Chiropractic spinal manipulation has gained recognition as a valuable treatment option, and new research is showing just how and why it works.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND SPINAL MANIPULATION
Spinal manipulative therapy good goes beyond your spine. According to new research, it activates multiple beneficial mechanisms throughout your nervous system. (3) When chiropractors apply controlled force to spinal joints, it rouses sensory receptors that shoot signals to your brain, helping to decrease pain perception and boost joint function. The pathways through which spinal manipulation delivers relief are complex and intertwined. Research shows that manipulation can decrease muscle tension, boost blood flow, and modulate pain signals traveling through your spinal cord. It also appears to influence the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in your body, fostering a cascade of therapeutic effects that spread beyond the immediate treatment area.
GENTLE ALTERNATIVE: FLEXION-DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE
Not all spinal manipulation involves twisting motions and popping sounds. Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries offers a gentler, non-thrust technique called flexion-distraction (aka Cox® Technic) that utilizes 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 prefer a subtler approach or have conditions that make traditional manipulation unacceptable, flexion-distraction as performed at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries 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 really looked at the evidence base and reported that spinal manipulation demonstrates meaningful benefits for many patients dealing from chronic back and neck pain. (2) The research indicates that when properly applied, chiropractic care can be a helpful part of a comprehensive pain management plan. Another study in the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association explored the underlying mechanisms, revealing that 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 performed by licensed chiropractors, spinal manipulation has a robust safety profile. The key is working with a qualified practitioner like yours at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries who conducts thorough assessments and develops a personalized 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 illustrates the process a chiropractic patient can expect to go through with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management toward relief.
If chronic pain is negatively affecting your quality of life in Manchester, schedule an appointment with us for chiropractic care that has the strong potential to deliver the relief you've been wanting through evidence-based care with us at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries.
