Chiropractic Instantly Reduces Back Pain

A large number of people come to our Juneau chiropractic office in the hopes of resolving their low back pain. And, often, the first question they ask is, “How long before I can expect relief?” According to a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, the answer may likely be “Immediately!”

Researchers studied 112 individuals who suffered with pain in their lower back. A portion of them were asked to participate in spinal manipulation therapy (chiropractic care), some of them engaged in side-posture positioning, and the rest were placed in control groups.

Each group was given an MRI after two assigned treatments, so researchers could measure the change in space between the joints (gapping). It was hypothesized that spinal adjustments would result in greater gapping, since the adjustments can break up fibrous adhesions constricting the vertebrae. The MRIs revealed that every group had some degree of gapping after the treatments. However, spinal manipulation therapy showed the greatest gapping out of all the groups when the MRI was taken after the second treatment session.

Additionally, the participants in the spinal manipulation therapy group also showed greater pain relief over the side-posture positioning and control groups, even after just one treatment (which was noted when they were asked to verbally rate their low back pain using a scale). In other words, their pain relief was immediate.

Based on these results, researchers concluded that spinal manipulation therapy along with side-posture positioning provides the greatest amount of benefits for low back pain. So, if you’re ready to resolve your low back pain, make an appointment with our Juneau chiropractic office today. We’ll do our best to provide you with immediate, and long-term, relief!

Reference

Cramer Gregory, et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Zygaphosphyseal Joint Space Changes (gapping) in Low Back Pain Patients following Spinal Manipulation and Side-Posture Positioning: A Randomized Controlled Mechanisms Trial with Blinding. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics May 2013; 36(4): 203-217.