The Number of Chiropractic Therapy Treatments Needed
This depends on your approach to care. There are generally two paths you can take:
- The first, and more recommended way to go is maintenance care, which involves continuing treatment even after the symptoms have resolved (though the frequency is decreased significantly to as little as once every 6-12 months). Treatment in this stage is aimed at preventing recurrence of the same problem, or the arousal of new symptoms.
- The second approach to treatment is symptomatic or crisis care. This involves treatment only when you are in pain. The frequency of treatment is often required to be more regular while the symptoms are present. Therefore, this method can involve a 'roller-coaster' of regular treatments while the symptoms are present, followed by a period of no treatment. Often the problem will recur if treatment is ceased as soon as symptoms are resolved. The reason for this is that symptoms are not actually a good indicator for measuring the progress of your problem. Symptoms are generally the last sign to show, and the first to be removed.
The amount of time it takes to be symptom free is something that will vary from person to person depending on a number of variables.
Examples of factors that may influence the time taken for symptoms to resolve include:
- The severity of the condition.
- The tissue that is damaged – e.g. the tendon of a muscle will be slower to heal than the interior of the muscle due to having a poorer blood supply.
- The length of time you have had the condition.
- Age - Generally as you get older, your rate of recovery will decline.
- Trauma or accidents - past or present.
- Smoking - Decreases the rate of healing.
- Nutrition - The healthier your diet, the more fuel there is available for repairing your tissues.
- Stress - High stress levels can slow recovery.
- Posture - Poor postural habits place increased stress on ligaments and muscles and can not only slow recovery, but also can be a major cause of symptoms.
- Occupation - Your occupation may involve activities that aggravate your condition, e.g. lifting or sitting for extended periods.
Chiropractic Therapy Side Effects
Serious side effects from spinal manipulation appear to be rare. Strokes have been reported following manipulation of the neck, presumably as a result of damage to one of the arteries supplying blood to the brain. However, the incidence of adverse events from manipulation of the neck region is estimated to be 1 in 1 million procedures, according to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Likewise, the Agency pegs the risk of a serious side effect from manipulation of the lower back at 1 case in 100 million manipulations.
Chiropractic Therapy General Treatments
Chiropractic is now firmly established as a primary health-care profession where, according to the American Chiropractic Association, approximately 7 to 16 percent of people in the United Stated seek treatment each year. Our profession has earned recognition for its remarkable effectiveness and its focus on natural, drug-free, non-invasive methods of treatment. This section summarizes the effectiveness of chiropractic for some of the conditions we treat.
General Lower-Back Pain - Approximately 25% of our patients come to us with a chief complaint of low-back/pelvic pain or discomfort. An accident, overuse, repetitive stress, emotional stress, or just everyday living can bring on this pain.
Acute Lower-Back Pain - Spinal adjustment is one of the most effective treatments for this condition. It has been concluded that chiropractic therapy lends itself to greater and more rapid improvement for acute low-back pain when coupled with exercise.
Chronic Lower-Back Pain - In 1997, the Dutch Health Insurance Board funded an investigation that summarized the results of 48 separate studies on the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for chronic lower-back pain. The investigation determined that spinal adjustment is more effective than treatments suggested by general practitioners (bed rest, analgesics, and massage).
Head Pain - Headaches, both tension and migraine, are the chief complaint for approximately 13% of our patients. Before you reach for your pain-reliever of choice the next time a headache or migraine sneaks up on you, consider the following information on the efficacy of chiropractic care for head pain.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) - With a large percentage of the population using keyboards either at work or at home, CTS is becoming increasingly common. CTS is a condition where there is a disturbance of nerve function in the wrist. Because it is a neurological issue, we are treating more and more patients of all ages suffering from this malady.
Fibromyalgia - is a syndrome characterized by chronic pain in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints, fatigue, and tenderness at specific sites in the body. While the cause is unknown, an estimated 3 million people are affected in the United States. Because we offer a conservative, hands-on approach to health care, some patients suffering from fibromyalgia are supplementing their medical care with chiropractic care.
Infantile Colic - Colic is a condition that occurs in early infancy and is characterized by episodes of loud crying, apparent abdominal pain, and irritability. While the causes of colic are not always known or understood, parents of children exhibiting symptoms of colic seek help from chiropractors because of its effectiveness in reducing the severity of the symptoms.
Chiropractic Therapy for Diseases
Chiropractic Therapy and Fibromyalgia
Symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic, widespread pain and tenderness to the touch. There is also typically moderate to severe fatigue. Those affected may also experience heightened sensitivity of the skin, tingling of the skin (often needle-like), achiness in the muscles, prolonged muscle spasms, weakness in the limbs, and nerve pain. Chronic sleep disturbances are also characteristic of fibromyalgia.
Recently, fibromyalgia patients have been seeking chiropractic care increasingly often. Because fibromyalgia causes numerous tender points all over the body, many fibromyalgia patients suffer from back pain, neck pain, and leg cramps. In an attempt to solve these problems, many sufferers have looked to chiropractors. Because simple adjustments to the neck and spine can restore the carriage of the whole body, a lot of fibromyalgia sufferers find that alignments of the spine can significantly reduce pain all over their bodies.
Upper Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Many fibromyalgia patients suffer from a condition called upper cervical spinal stenosis. This causes the coverings of the upper spine, known as meninges, to become compressed. This can cause severe, debilitating pain all over the body. Chiropractors can adjust the head and neck so the spine is no longer compressed, helping to relieve the widespread pain symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Chiropractic Care in Fibromyalgia Patients
Numerous studies have been conducted analyzing the benefits of chiropractic care in fibromyalgia patients. A 1985 study asked 81 fibromyalgia patients to indicate drug or alternative treatments that best relieved their pain. Chiropractic care treatment scored surprisingly high in this study. Another study examined the effectiveness of spinal manipulation in relieving fibromyalgia symptoms. After just 15 treatments, fibromyalgia patients suffered from less pain and fatigue, and actually enjoyed better sleep quality.
Patient Medical makes no claims as to Chiropractic Therapy efficacy. Information within this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This information is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your personal physician or any other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.
Chiropractic Therapy and Sports Injuries
Athletic performance is highly dependent on the physical condition of the athletes’. There are a number of conditions that can result from playing sports. A variety of muscles, joints and ligaments are used when involved in active play, all of which can be affected by strain from overuse, trauma, or not being properly warmed and cooled down.
Sports injuries are generally in the form of soft tissue injuries, which refers to any damage to the soft tissues of the body, such as ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, joints and connective tissue.
There are a number of ways in which a soft tissue sports injury can occur:
- Muscle strain - when the muscle or tendon is pulled too far in one direction
- Contusions - resulting from a direct blow to the muscle/tissue
- Tendonitis - when the tendon becomes overstressed and inflamed, often due to inappropriate equipment, faulty technique and lack of flexibility
- Ligament Sprains - when the ligament is stretched beyond its normal range
Chiropractors specialize in the non-drug treatment of musculoskeletal problems, including joint sprains and disk injuries. Often, when a muscle or joint is injured, the body naturally compensates, attempting to maintain balance and protect itself by tightening other muscles and joints. For example, the persistent pain in your shoulder could be the result of a direct injury to the shoulder; it could also reflect your body's compensation for spinal-joint movement restrictions in your neck.
Many athletes are being sidelined with injuries that could be avoided, or sitting out on the bench because their injury is not responding to ordinary treatment. Others still are playing, but at less than peak efficiency, simply because their structural system is not balanced. During many sports, body contact, fast stops and starts, and positioning places an unusual amount of strain on the spine and structural system. As a result, chiropractic gives special attention to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves of the athlete. In fact, many high level athletes visit a Chiropractor for a 'tune-up' before a game to help prepare joints and muscles and reduce the risk of injury.
Chiropractic adjustments help restore the natural balance that was present before the injury. Treatment of sports injuries at includes widely used physical therapies such as ice for swelling and inflammation and heat and electronic muscle stimulation for muscle strains and sprains. These techniques help athletes return to training and perform at their peak level sooner.
Chiropractic Therapy and Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition, which affects the smooth movement of the joints. While the term arthritis usually conjures up images of crippled fingers and hobbled movements, the effects of arthritis can actually range from benign to severe.
Arthritis There are several different forms of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis. It first appears in the second and third decade of life, and can become very common by age 70. This does not mean, however, that arthritis only affects the elderly. Some forms of arthritis can appear in childhood and early adulthood. General arthritis symptoms include pain, stiffness, redness, heat and often swelling in inflicted areas.
There are several reasons for arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). Some arthritis types have autoimmune causes (when the body begins to attack itself), and others are due to undue stress placed on the joints of your body. People with poor posture, excess weight, injuries or those who work in physically stressful industries are at most risk.
Inside healthy joints, the ends of the bones are covered with a tough tissue called cartilage. This cartilage is smooth and slick, so the bones can move easily. Inside arthritic joints, the cartilage becomes rough and pitted. As the joints wear down, calcium deposits, spurs and swelling may develop. This restricts the movements of the joints and causes pain and inflammation.
Many arthritis sufferers assume that nothing can be done to reverse the degeneration or relieve arthritis pain. Others resort to surgery to replace joints with synthetic devices. While there may be not yet be an arthritis cure, some arthritis treatment is available. With proper diet, an active lifestyle, and regular chiropractic care, the effects of arthritis can be mediated.
The most important thing with arthritis is to maintain as much normal function as possible in the affected areas. This is where chiropractic is of benefit. Specific chiropractic adjustments help to return normal motion and position to "stuck" or fixated spinal joints. These adjustments are effective in reducing pain, improving joint mobility and increasing muscle flexibility for arthritis sufferers.
Chiropractors can also recommend stretches, exercises, and aids available to help improve mobility and range of motion in people with arthritis. Activities such as yoga, swimming and specific joint mobilization exercises can be beneficial in this respect.
Chiropractic allows sufferers to maintain as much normal function as possible, so that arthritis need not be a crippling disease.
Chiropractic Therapy and Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is recognized as one of the most common reasons for referrals to medical practitioners, and accounts for a large proportion of missed days at work. In fact, research suggests that up to eighty percent of people will experience back pain at some stage of their lives. While for some people back pain is little more than discomfort, for others it can leave them incapacitated.
Low Back Pain While some cases of back pain originate from injury, accidents or organic medical conditions such as arthritis or fracture, the most common cause of back pain is stress to the joints and muscles of the back, which accumulates from day-to-day activities, such as:
- Poor posture
- Incorrect bending and lifting procedures
- Sitting down for extended periods of time
- Sleeping incorrectly
- Twisting the body into an uncomfortable position
Most people are prone to back pain, as the lower back area supports a lot of our body weight, and relies heavily on the strength of the vertebrae in our spine. If the spine is not in correct alignment, areas of weakness can occur, resulting in irritation of nerves in the spine, or in a bulging disc, which places pressure on the spinal cord.
It is important not to ignore back pain, even when though is can subside within a few days. Pain may be symptomatic of an underlying condition such as a disc bulge, sciatica or scoliosis.
While many people look for medication such as ibuprofen and aspirin when they suffer from low back pain, these should not be considered first-line treatments. While medication may reduce the symptomatic pain, it does not treat the actual problem. This means that once the medication wears off, the pain usually returns. This will continue until the underlying mechanism driving the pain is addressed.
Chiropractic had consistently shown to be effective in relieving lower back pain in the long term, by addressing the deeper problems connected to the pain. By releasing tension in the joints and muscles, Chiropractic provides a safe, simple and efficient form of therapy for back care. The Chiropractors at Back to Basics Chiropractic can also recommend a course of exercise and general health maintenance, coupled with Chiropractic to ensure permanent alleviation of back problems.
There are some things you can do to help prevent relapses, or to minimize the severity of lower back pain. Some useful tips include:
- Avoid sudden bending, twisting or sharp movement while in pain. This can aggravate pre-existing vulnerabilities to back problems
- Maintain proper posture at all times
- Make sure that your workspace is ergonomically designed. This includes things like a supportive chair, a well-placed computer monitor and a workstation layout that does not require a lot of twisting and turning
- Purchase a firm mattress designed to support your back while you sleep
- Engage in regular exercise. Even if you are suffering from back pain, bed rest is often not the most preferable option. Low-impact exercise such as walking or swimming will help the back muscles remain active and loose
- When exercising, ensure you correctly warm up and cool down every time
- Wear comfortable flat or low-heeled shoes
Next Steps:
Poor health can significantly affect your life. Improve your life by changing to good health. Call our patient coordinator at 1-212-679-9667 or click on Request an Appointment to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for evaluation and testing.
We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, NYC, New York, NY 10017.
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Article Last Updated: 06/26/2009