Chiropractic Manipulation

Chiropractic care is most commonly associated with manipulation of the spine. Manipulation is one of the most widely researched and clinically proven forms of therapy for low back pain and neck pain. Manipulation has been used as a treatment for musculoskeletal complaints for centuries. However, it was not until the last few years that its effectiveness has been proven through scientific research. In fact, for many years manipulation was thought to be an unorthodox form of medical care because of its relationship to the chiropractic profession. Today, this treatment is commonly accepted and its validity and efficacy have been proven for low back and neck pain.

Ultimately, when determining the best evidenced care for any condition the benefit to risk ratio must be determined and the therapeutic benefit of spinal manipulation for low back and neck pain is strongly supported and well documented, while the risks and arguments against its use have not been supported. As a result, spinal manipulation should always be considered as a first line of therapy in most cases of localized low back and neck pain. In fact, the risks associated with many other forms of accepted therapies are much greater including the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve), and while the benefit of these medications only treats the symptom and not the true cause of the pain, we use these medications routinely for pain. Spinal Manipulation helps to treat the cause of the pain and as a result has a much greater benefit to risk ratio than most conventional treatment available today for neck and low back pain.