Millions of people visit a chiropractor each year, whether to improve posture, relieve back pain, treat ear infections, or to take advantage of any of the other benefits chiropractic adjustments offer. However, some people are a bit skeptical of this natural approach to reaching one’s health goals and they often raise questions about how chiropractors are trained. What these people do not realize is that the human body has the amazing ability to heal itself – with just a little help from a chiropractor and the right conditions. If you’re still unsure about this drug-free, surgery-free practice, here are 10 researched benefits of chiropractic adjustments:
- Sciatica
The European Spine Journal found in a recent clinical trial that chiropractic adjustments had a 72% success rate in treating sciatica and similar symptoms, while physical therapy was only found to be 20% successful and corticosteroid injections resulted in a 50% success rate.
- Lower Back Pain and Neck Pain
The British Medical Journal published a study in 2003 where patients with neck pain were randomly assigned to one of three different treatments methods. Results shows that those who received chiropractic adjustments recovered faster than the other patients.
A second study, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, found that patients with lower back pain showed more satisfaction and greater improvement when treated by a chiropractor as opposed to a family physician.
In a study done to test different ways to treat neck pain, NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that 57% of those who met with chiropractors reported a 75% decrease in pain levels, and 53% of these participants still reported a 75% reduction in pain after one year.
- Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common conditions that chiropractors treat. A group trial found that 22% of people who visit a chiropractor to manage headaches and migraines saw a 90% drop on number of attacks and about 50% said they felt a significant reduction in pain intensity.
- Colic and Ear Infections
According to a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 2012, colic symptoms can be reduced by visiting a chiropractor. Additionally, dozens of case studies have documented that children who suffer from ear infections and colic have experienced almost complete resolution after just a few chiropractic adjustments.
- Neurological Conditions
Recent research conducted via MRI has shown that blood flow and cerebral spinal fluid increases after chiropractic adjustments. Researchers have also observed that these adjustments are reversing cerebellar invagination and brain plaquing.
- Blood Pressure
A hypertension expert, George Bakris, conducted a study proving that a single upper cervical chiropractic adjustment had the same effect as two blood pressure-lowering drugs and lasted more than six months.
Other studies have found that those with high blood pressure who get chiropractic adjustments report a greater drop on blood pressure and levels of those with low blood pressure raised to normal levels after being treated by a chiropractor.
- Surgery Prevention
Chiropractic adjustments have been deemed a natural method in preventing back surgery for years. The Journal of the American Medical Associations suggests that people suffering from back pain should visit a chiropractor before looking into surgery.
- Frozen Shoulder
In a recent clinical trial, patients suffering from frozen shoulder reported improvement after chiropractic care. Of the 50 patients in the study, 16 resolved completely, 25 reported 75%-90% improvement, and 8 showed 50%-75% improvement.
- Scoliosis
Dr. Dennis Woggon of the Clear Institute has perfected a model to effectively treat scoliosis with chiropractic. In many cases, patients have seen up to a 30% decrease in their scoliosis curvatures.
- Athletic Performance
One of the most overlooked aspects of chiropractic adjustments is that they can enhance athletic performance. Studies have shows that chiropractic can increase overall bodily function,boost your immune system, increase your energy level, and decrease mental stress.
Courtesy of: Dr. Axe
