How Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation at Apple Country Chiropractic Works to Ease Your Chronic Pain
If you're living with chronic musculoskeletal pain, you're likely exploring every avenue for relief. Chiropractic spinal manipulation has surfaced 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 positive mechanisms throughout your nervous system. (3) When chiropractors apply 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 provides relief are complex and interconnected. Research shows that manipulation can decrease muscle tension, improve blood flow, and regulate pain signals traveling through your spinal cord. It also seems to prompt the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in your body, fostering a cascade of therapeutic effects that spread throughout your musculoskeletal system.
GENTLE ALTERNATIVE: FLEXION-DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE
Not all spinal manipulation involves twisting motions and popping sounds. Apple Country Chiropractic offers a gentler, non-thrust technique called flexion-distraction (aka Cox® Technic) that uses easy movements to decompress spinal joints. Recent ultrasound research has studied how this technique affects the spine via its controlled movement of spinal segments, demonstrating its precision and mechanical spinal effects. (1) (This builds on the foundational study of the biomechanical effects of Cox® Technic.) For patients who prefer a subtler approach or have conditions that make traditional manipulation unsuitable, flexion-distraction as performed at Apple Country Chiropractic offers delivers meaningful pain relief through controlled, comfortable movements.
EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS
Multiple studies champion 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 exhibits meaningful benefits for many patients suffering from chronic back and neck pain. (2) The research explains that when appropriately applied, chiropractic care can be a helpful component of a comprehensive pain management plan. Another study in the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association explored the underlying mechanisms, revealing that spinal manipulation affects neuroplastic changes—basically 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 performed by licensed chiropractors, spinal manipulation has a robust safety profile. The key is working with a qualified practitioner like yours at Apple Country Chiropractic who performs systematic assessments and develops a personalized 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 describes 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 Williamson, make an appointment with us for chiropractic care that has the strong potential to offer the relief you've been seeking through evidence-based care with us at Apple Country Chiropractic.
