Chiropractic Research
Read the latest news and research on how chiropractic care can benefit you and your family!
Subluxation
WHAT IS SUBLUXATION? Often described in practice as a partial dislocation, a subluxation is when the vertebrae move slightly out of alignment causing pressure or irritation to the nerves. The spine loses normal motion and/or position and can have an affect on the nerves involved and vertebrae around the subluxated area. As the vertebrae are not functioning properly this can cause wear and tear on the discs and associated ligaments, muscles and other spinal tissue. This nerve interference results in the body operating at a reduced rate. Pain, inflammation and tenderness often follow. Once the nervous system has been impaired via a subluxation, the overall health and wellbeing of the person is at reduced. Chiropractors locate Subluxations which cause interference to the nervous system. They then correct the interference through gentle movements of the spine. This is usually done with the hands, which relieves the pressure to the nerves therefore assisting in correction and improving the health of the nerves. WHAT CAUSES SUBLUXATIONS? Subluxations are caused through varying ways. They can be responses to physical, emotional, chemical or genetic factors. Physical Birth process, slips, falls, car accident, poor sleeping habits, repetitive motions, sports injuries, bad postural habits etc. Emotional Stressful [...]
Stress Research
You’ve always been told to “reduce the stress in your life” because it can be detrimental to your health to sustain high levels of stress on a consistent basis. According to a study done by the AADA, “Compared to the low-stress group, both the moderate and the high-stress groups showed excess mortality …” Stress is not only unpleasant to deal with on a regular basis but is also important for a healthy life. Stress and the Nervous System The nervous system is responsible for all of the vital functions in the body and one of those vital functions is the management of stress. More precisely, the nervous system produces testosterone during its fight-or-flight response. Arousal from an experience or within mental thought patterns can cause the adrenal glands to release the cortisol hormone, which is released when you’re stressed. The nervous system has two primary forms of operation: the sympathetic nervous response (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic response (rest and digest). When the body activates the parasympathetic mode of the nervous system, the body calms down and has an improved capacity to heal the body. When the nervous system is in a sympathetic state, it has to shut down [...]
Sciatica
Non-operative treatments for sciatica: a pilot study for a randomized clinical trial. Bronfort G, Evans RL, Anderson AV et al. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics October 2000, Vol. 23 No. 8. This is a prospective, observer-blinded, pilot randomized clinical trial of 20 patients aged 20-65 with low back-related leg pain. Patients were divided into three groups. One group was given medical care, one group chiropractic care and one group steroid injections. All groups showed substantial improvement at the end of the 12 week study. Lack of effectiveness of bed rest for sciatica. Patrick CAJ, Vroomen MD, Marc CTFM, et al. The New England Journal of Medicine. 1999;340:418-423. Many medical doctors prescribe bed rest for sciatica, yet according to the authors: “For low back pain, bed rest has traditionally been considered effective, although there is little objective data to support this view. In recent years evidence of the ineffectiveness of bed rest for low back pain has accumulated, but bed rest continues to still be widely used for treatment of sciatica.” From the conclusion: “Among patients with symptoms and signs of a lumbosacral radicular syndrome, bed rest is not a more effective therapy than watchful waiting.” From Mobilization of the [...]
Pregnancy
CHIROPRACTIC STUDIES It is a common observation that birthing seems to be more comfortable for women who were under chiropractic care during pregnancy. The following studies mention how common spinal problems are resolved during pregnancy (up to 90%) and best of all how Chiropractic is safe, effective and most of all a drug free approach which is ideally suited for the health and well being of both mother and child. The role of chiropractic in pregnancy. Vallone S. Int’l Chiropractic Assn. Review Summer 2002. p 47-51. “By encouraging regular chiropractic and maternal self care (which includes good nutrition, regular stretching and exercise and stress management) we can improve our patient’s probability of a successful natural delivery.” Complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: a survey of North Carolina certified nurse-midwives. Allaire AD, Moos WK, Wells SR. Obstet Gynecol 2000;95(1):19-23. In this survey of 82 certified nurse-midwives, 93.9% reported that they recommended patients to alternative health care providers. 57.3% said they referred women to chiropractors. Follow-up of patients with low back pain during pregnancy. Brynhildsen J, Hansson A, Persson A, Hammar M. In: Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feb 1998; 91(2): 182-6. Women with severe low back pain during pregnancy have an extremely high [...]
Neck Pain
CHIROPRACTIC STUDIES Cervical mobilization: concurrent effects on pain, sympathetic nervous system activity and motor activity. Sterling M, Jull G, Wright A. Man Ther (Manual Medicine) 2001;6(2):72-81. In this paper, 30 patients with middle or lower neck (cervical) pain had “spinal manipulative therapy” (SMT) and their pain reduced after care. Spinal care was found to have a pain fighting effect (“a hypoalgesic effect) as pain thresholds increased. It was also found that the sympathetic nervous system, which affects the functions of the internal organs, was affected: The authors wrote: “The treatment technique also produced a sympathoexcitatory effect with an increase in skin conductance and a decrease in skin temperature.” Chiropractic treatment of post surgical neck syndrome utilizing mechanical force manually assisted short-lever spinal adjustments. Polkinghorn B and Colloca CJ Manipulative Physiol Ther November/December 2001. Vol 24 No. 9. This is the case of a 35-year-old female who, after having neck surgery two separate times (a discectomy at C3/4 and a fusion at C5/6) suffered from chronic neck pain for over 5 years. She had originally undergone the surgeries to resolve neck pain. Her surgeon suggested a third surgery but she decided on chiropractic care. Within 30 days of chiropractic care all her [...]
Menstrual Health Research
Menstrual cycles do not just cause discomfort, but may also cause back pain, lethargy, bloating, or severe cramps. The nerve bundles that control your endocrine (hormonal) and reproductive systems are protected by the spine. Because they work in conjunction with one another, problems such as spinal misalignments (or subluxations) may cause more severe menstrual symptoms during a cycle. Chiropractic adjustments can relieve symptoms of menstrual cycles, as well as regulate the frequency of menstrual cycles. Chiropractic care is also a natural, drug-free way to relieve bladder and bowel pain caused by PMS. Women who experience infertility issues may also benefit from regular chiropractic care as the reproductive system is so closely associated with the spine. Chiropractic adjustments have been effective in treating issues such as amenorrhea (abnormal lack of a period during reproductive years), premenstrual syndrome, and dysmenorrhea (painful abdominal cramps during a period). While it is normal to not have a period during pregnancy or when breastfeeding, the lack of a menstrual cycle at any other time can be a sign of more significant health issues. Studies have shown that spinal health affects overall health. Lithia Springs chiropractic care is a solution for achieving optimal menstrual health. Menstrual Health [...]
Leg Length
Purpose: To determine if there is an association between a test commonly used by chiropractors as a sign of subluxation/joint dysfunction – supine leg length alignment (LLA) asymmetry – and health-related quality of life as measured by the SF-12 questionnaire, in a non-clinical population. Design: Volunteers answered the SF-12 and background questionnaires and were then examined for supine LLA by a chiropractor blinded to their answers. Setting: Gatherings of people in the general population. Participants: Fifty-five unscreened volunteers. Examiner: Chiropractor with approximately 20 years of clinical experience. Main Outcome Measures: The association of supine LLA asymmetry with general health based on the two summary scores – physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) – of the SF-12. Results: There were 27 volunteers with LLA asymmetry, they had a mean PCS of 49.6 and a mean MCS of 47.9. In the no – LLA asymmetry group (n=23) the mean PCS was 50.8, and mean MCS of 54.0. A multiple regression analysis found that of the variables gender, age, back pain (current/former) and LLA asymmetry, the only factor to approach significance with the SF-12 MCS/PCS was the presence of LLA asymmetry. A t-test found there was a significant difference (p=0.017) in the MCS between [...]
Infertility Research
Infertility is a significant problem that many women face today. Approximately 7.4 million women struggle with getting pregnant and staying pregnant. Not being able to get pregnant not only affects women physically but can also be emotionally taxing as women desire to start a family and are unable to. Doctors are unable to diagnose and address problems of infertility until one full year of unprotected sex has passed. Causes for infertility can vary, and in some cases, the cause is unknown. For women, fibroids, hormone imbalance, stress, damaged ovaries, diet, ovulation issues, heavy menstrual cycles, or any other number of concerns could be causes of infertility. In men, there are only three things that can cause this issue: a sperm transport disorder, a gonad disorder, or a hypothalamic disorder. To address infertility, you must first address the root cause. While it may not be widely known, chiropractic care can treat root causes to treat the whole body and increase fertility. Infertility Treatments When first faced with not being able to conceive, most couples turn to hormone therapy, in vitro fertilization, or even invasive surgeries to correct problems. But not all of these methods of treatment are effective. Additionally, they can come [...]
Immune System Research
A healthy immune system is vital to staying alive and thriving. Low immune system function means increased sickness and decreased ability to stay healthy and well. Without a properly functioning immune system, it’s harder to fight off sickness, recover from sickness, or stay free of illnesses. There is a strong link between immune system function and the central nervous system, comprised of the brain and spinal cord. For this reason, chiropractic is a very effective way to strengthen the immune system and improve overall health and wellness. The Connection Between the Central Nervous System and the Immune System All the cells in the body are connected through the central nervous system. Each cell affects our immune system health. Improving the immune system can not only help fight off viruses such as colds or bacterial infections, but it can also improve symptoms of more serious conditions such as HIV, inflammatory arthritis, cancer, and more, leading to more optimal health and improved quality of life. People who suffer from immunodeficiency will be more susceptible to infections, such as sinus infections, ear infections, bronchitis, or colds. Inflammation of the internal organs causes autoimmune disorders or other conditions like Type I diabetes. Improving the [...]
HIV
CHIROPRACTIC HIV AND AIDS The goal of chiropractic care is to free patients from vertebral subluxations, a serious interference to life and health. Releasing subluxations permits the body to work more efficiently. Research studies are increasingly revealing that the addressing of “subluxations” has a beneficial effect on many levels of one’s health. The immune system function is one of the most exciting areas of study in chiropractic. More and more research is pointing to an immune system enhancing effect from spinal adjustments. AIDS/HIV Research Chronic Hyperemesis in two siblings with AIDS. Fallon, J Int’l Chiropractic Association Review Summer 2002. Two male siblings ages 4 and 6 with “HIV infections” and “full-blown AIDS.” Both boys suffered from severe Hyperemesis (vomiting) associated with a hyperactive gag reflex and were on a liquid diet: the six-year-old by mouth and the 4-year-old by gastric tube. The 6-year-old had a viral load of 1,200 and was on a therapy regime of antiviral drugs. His 4-year-old brother, with a viral load of 1,000,000 was on a cocktail of HIV medications (after the monotherapy failed). The 4-year-old had a history of chronic ear infections and the 6-year-old had severe learning disabilities. Both boys needed a walker or [...]