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Top 5 Research-Backed Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic care is backed by thousands of years of success. Modern science, however, has also linked chiropractic care to a surprising number of benefits.

Today, we’re exploring some of the most important research-backed benefits of chiropractic adjustments.

Relief from Sciatica and Back Pain Symptoms

Many of those who suffer from sciatica have experienced significant relief through chiropractic adjustments. And now, these patients can rest assured that science backs these benefits.

A study published in the European Spine Journal found that chiropractic adjustments led to a 72% success rate in treating sciatica-related symptoms. 13 of the 18 patients in the study were “successfully treated” according to researchers.

In comparison, physical therapy had a 20% success rate while corticosteroid injections led to a 50% success rate.

A similar study was published in the Spine Journal in 2006. Researchers took 64 men and 38 women between ages 19 and 63 who were suffering from sciatic nerve pain. The randomized, double-blind study found that patients experienced better results through active manipulation compared to simulated manipulations. In this study, active manipulations reduced the number of days patients experienced moderate or sever back pain and other sciatica symptoms.

Another important finding from the study is that patients experienced no reported adverse effects from active manipulations.

Reduced Feelings of Low Back Pain and Neck Pain

Many patients visit chiropractors to seek relief from low back pain and neck pain. Sometimes, patients visit a chiropractor after traditional neck and back pain solutions have failed. If medication, injections, and physical therapy have failed to reduce your symptoms, then you may want to undergo chiropractic manipulations.

One study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in 2009 found that the vast majority of patients with neck pain and low back pain were very satisfied with the chiropractic care they received. 96% of respondents indicated they were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the chiropractic care they received, and an additional 98% said they “definitely would” or were “very likely” to choose chiropractic care again in the future.

Similar findings were published in the British Medical Journal in 2003. Researchers randomly allocated treatments to 183 patients with neck pain. Treatments include manual therapy (spinal mobilization), physical therapy (mostly exercise), or general care (counseling, education, and medication). The group was analyzed over a 52-week period.

After one year, researchers found that the group experiencing chiropractic adjustments experienced faster recovery from neck pain than the physical therapy or general care group. The chiropractic care group also had one third of the costs of the other two groups. Not only was chiropractic care more effective, but it was also more cost-effective.

Chiropractic Care Can Treat Tension and Migraine Headaches

Tension and migraine headaches can be very frustrating to solve. Some patients have suffered headaches for years with no relief through traditional treatment or medication.

Studies have shown, however, that many patients can experience powerful relief through chiropractic care. A quick search on PubMed.gov indicates that there are more than 300 peer-reviewed articles exploring the connection between headaches and chiropractic care. Many of these studies reinforce the idea that a good chiropractor can cure, prevent, and reduce the symptoms of painful headaches.

One study, for example, analyzed a group of patients with tension and migraine headaches. In that group, 22% of people who underwent chiropractic treatment saw their number of headaches drop by 90%. Of the original group, nearly half of patients (49%) reported a significant reduction in pain intensity.

Few other treatments came close to the effectiveness of chiropractic care in terms of pain relief, especially when considering the lack of side effects from chiropractic care.

A Chiropractor Can Lower Blood Pressure

A good chiropractor can even lower blood pressure. High blood pressure and heart disease are the leading killers in the United States. After undergoing chiropractic care, patients may experience proven relief from high blood pressure.

Modern science backs up the idea that chiropractic adjustments lower blood pressure.

One study analyzed a placebo treatment versus chiropractic care at treating patients with hypertension. 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure underwent a sham chiropractic adjustment procedure, while 25 other patients received a real chiropractic adjustment procedure.

Compared to placebo-treated patients, patients who underwent the real chiropractic procedure experienced a 14mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number) and an average 8mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the lower number).

This is enough change to drop patients out of the hypertension and pre-hypertension range, significantly reducing one’s risk of heart disease.

Increased Athletic Performance

You don’t have to be experiencing neck pain, back pain, or stiffness to visit a chiropractor. Many Denver area patients come into Renew Chiropractic in Lakewood, Colorado to increase their athletic performance.

A number of world-class athletes have been publicly outspoken about their love of chiropractic adjustments, including Michael Phelps, Joe Montana, and Jerry Rice, all of whom claim to regularly see a chiropractor.

It has also been reported that over half of all NFL teams keep a chiropractor on team payroll, allowing players to get adjustments, stretches, and other exercises whenever necessary. Meanwhile, all 32 NFL teams make chiropractors available to players.

Some of the athletic benefits of chiropractic care include:

  • Boosting the immune system
  • Relieving muscle tension
  • Reducing inflammatory cytokines and encouraging the body’s natural healing processes
  • Decreasing mental and oxidative stress
  • Increasing natural energy levels
Final Word

Chiropractic adjustments have a proven ability to help patients enjoy powerful relief from all types of symptoms. To find out how skilled chiropractic care can help you, schedule an appointment with experienced Denver chiropractor Dr. Jason Jumper at Renew Chiropractic today.