Chiropractic care involving spinal manipulation is a type of manual therapy for back pain. The procedure involves the movement of synovial joints in the back. Any joint in the back may be treated by spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation may also be referred to as an adjustment. The procedure is carried out primarily by chiropractors and osteopaths. The procedure is performed to relieve back pain and increase range of motion. Adjustments are performed to bring the vertebrae into alignment and aid in healing. The theory behind spinal manipulation is that the structure of the spine affects its functioning.
In order to figure out what could be causing your back problems, a chiropractor will look at your spine from top to bottom. While you may have localized pain, such as pain just in the lower portion of your back, other parts of your back could be affected and/or could provide clues to the cause of the problem. He will begin by looking at your neck (also known as your cervical spine) and then move down to your mid-back (thoracic spine) and finally end at your lumbar spine, which is your lower back region. The chiropractor will be on the look out for areas where your joints do not move as nature intended. He will also be watching for any signs of injury to the discs or ligaments and any spasms in the muscles. He will also want to observe you as stand in place and as you walk.
Spinal manipulation should only be carried out by a trained professional. A physical examination should be conducted first to rule out contraindications. A neurological examination should be conducted to ensure that the patient does not have nerve root damage. Contraindications involve bone conditions (e.g., tumors, infection, and osteoporosis), nerve conditions, (e.g., spinal cord compression), blood vessels disorders (e.g., aortic aneurysm and severe clotting disorders), and hypermobility (e.g., lax ligament syndrome).
Practitioners of spinal manipulation apply a controlled force or pressure to a spinal joint to move the joint beyond its usual range of motion. The force may be applied manually or with the use of a device. The amount of force applied depends on the type of manipulation being employed. The joint is not forced to move beyond the range of motion it is capable of anatomically. The manipulation of a joint stretches the joint capsule and causes a negative pressure. This results in the release of gas into the joint space, which causes a popping sound.
Common side effects of spinal manipulation include headache, fatigue, and pain or discomfort in the treated section of the spine. These side effects are usually temporary and do not persist longer than one or two days. There have been reports of serious adverse effects resulting from cervical manipulation. Manipulation of the cervical vertebrae has been reported to cause stroke and brain stem infarction. Rarely, manipulation of the lower spine may lead to cauda equina syndrome. This syndrome results when manipulation compresses the nerves in the lower section of the spinal cord. The symptoms include pain, weakness in the legs, loss of bowel or bladder control, and loss of feeling in the legs. The most common adverse effect of spinal manipulation is vertebral artery dissection.
It is possible for your spine to need an adjustment without you even knowing it. Visiting a chiropractor can be a way to relieve pain and discomfort in the back because of restrictions that exist in the many joints that make up the spine.
Chiropractic spinal manipulation is a popular form of back pain management because it’s natural. Other ways to treat back pain without resorting to medication and surgery include the use of a back stretching device, which extends the spine in order to relieve compression.
