How Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office 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 shedding light on exactly how and why it works.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND SPINAL MANIPULATION
Spinal manipulative therapy benefit goes beyond your spine. According to recent research, it initiates multiple advantageous mechanisms throughout your nervous system. (3) When chiropractors direct controlled force to spinal joints, it arouses sensory receptors that transmit 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 lower muscle tension, improve blood flow, and regulate pain signals moving about your spinal cord. It also appears to prompt the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in your body, fostering a cascade of therapeutic effects that extend beyond the immediate treatment area.
GENTLE ALTERNATIVE: FLEXION-DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE
Not all spinal manipulation involves twisting motions and popping sounds. Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office offers a gentler, non-thrust technique called flexion-distraction (aka Cox® Technic) that uses rhythmic movements to decompress spinal joints. Recent ultrasound research has studied how this technique affects the spine via its controlled movement of spinal segments, showing its precision and mechanical effects on the spine. (1) (This builds on the foundational study of the biomechanical effects of Cox® Technic.) For patients who like a softer approach or have conditions that make traditional manipulation unacceptable, flexion-distraction as performed at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office offers an effective alternative that still provides therapeutic benefits.
EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS
Multiple studies support 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 suffering from chronic back and neck pain. (2) The research indicates that when properly applied, chiropractic care can be an effective part of a comprehensive pain management strategy. Another paper 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 evolving and gets more interesting all the time!
A SAFE, PATIENT-CENTERED APPROACH
When done by licensed chiropractors, spinal manipulation has a robust safety profile. The key is working with a qualified practitioner like yours at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office who performs thorough assessments and develops an individualized 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 anticipate going through with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management toward relief.
If chronic pain is negatively affecting your quality of life in Groton, schedule an appointment with us for chiropractic care that has the strong potential to deliver the relief you've been seeking through evidence-based care with us at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office.
