Chiropractic

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic has been a healthcare profession since 1895. The profession is holistic and recognizes the individual’s needs through counseling about understanding health behavior, principles of wellness, consumer health information and literacy, advocating for health in the community, clinical preventive services, physical activity, nutrition for prevention and health promotion, weight management, injury prevention, tobacco and substance use, stress management and stress related conditions, and worksite wellness.

Chiropractic is primarily known for using a hands-on method to increase joint range of motion in one joint segment by identification of a joint segment that is limited in its range of motion. Chiropractic is one of the oldest and most widely used forms of manual medicine. Manipulation precedes the Chiropractic profession by thousands of years and is used by other professions (Osteopathy, Physical Medicine, and Physical Therapy), but Chiropractic has done more than any other profession to promote its use in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders and conditions. Procedures are usually applied to a single joint level and for specific joint motion loss. The purpose of these procedures is to restore normal articular relationship and function, restore neurological integrity, and influence physiological processes. Various forms of manipulation effect different aspects of joint function.

The emphasis is not on forcing a particular anatomical movement of a joint, but on restoring normal joint mechanics. The effects of manipulation can include a combination of mechanical, soft tissue, neurological, and psychological affects. Manipulative treatment is directed at movement restriction of joints or motion segments of the spinal column.

How Chiropractic Care Boosts Movement Efficiency

Benefits of Chiropractic

Portland Chiropractic Group does not guarantee the benefits of Chiropractic care, but rather strives to achieve these goals with Chiropractic care. Portland Chiropractic Group continually monitors for progress, regression, and non-responsiveness to care. Bodily pain and aberrant function are a multifactorial problem that requires a multifactorial treatment plan. Most patients benefit in some way, but a minority do not progress as expected, or are not a candidate for chiropractic care. There are moments when individuals must be referred to another specialist or facility with the right expertise to solve their problem.

  • increased range of motion, if clinically indicated (Martínez-Segura et al., 2006)
  • increased neuromotor control (Haavik-Taylor & Murphy, 2007) (Dishman et al., 2008) (Tafler et al., 2022)
  • decreased abnormal loads on the spine (Orlin & Didriksen, 2007) (Santilli et al., 2006)
  • decreased abnormal patterns of muscle contraction (Indahl et al., 1997) (Dishman et al., 2002)
  • decreased strain on passive tissues (Santilli et al., 2006)
  • decreased headache, if clinically indicated (Fernandez-de-las-Penas et al., 2005)
  • decreased blood pressure associated with cervicogenic headache (Bakris et al., 2007)
  • decreased inflammation biochemical markers (Teodorczyk-Injeyan et al., 2006) (Teodorczyk-Injeyan et al., 2011) (Roy et al., 2010) (Ormos et al., 2009) (Song et al., 2006) (Sampath et al., 2023)
  • decreased joint pain associated with rest (Gross et al., 2010)
  • decreased joint pain associated with movement (Gross et al., 2010)
  • decreased numbness and tingling associated with cervical and or lumbar radiculopathy (El Melhat et al., 2024) (Heineman, 2024)
  • increased joint position sense (Pickar & Wheeler, 2001) (Sung et al., 2005) (Haavik & Murphy, 2011)

References 

Bakris, G., Dickholtz, M., Meyer, P. M., Kravitz, G., Avery, E., Miller, M., Brown, J., Woodfield, C., & Bell, B. (2007). Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure   goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study. Journal of Human Hypertension, 21(5), 347–352. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002133

Dishman, J. D., Ball, K. A., & Burke, J. (2002). First Prize: Central motor excitability changes after spinal manipulation: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 25(1), 1–9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11898013/

Dishman, J. D., Greco, D. S., & Burke, J. R. (2008). Motor-Evoked Potentials Recorded from Lumbar Erector Spinae Muscles: A Study of Corticospinal Excitability Changes Associated with Spinal Manipulation. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 31(4), 258–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.03.002

El, A. M., Ahmed, Zebdawi, M. R., Hafez, M. A., Khalil, L. H., & Harrison, D. E. (2024). Non-Surgical Approaches to the Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation Associated with Radiculopathy: A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(4), 974–974. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13040974

Fernandez-de-las-Penas, C., Alonso-Blanco, C., Cuadrado, M. L., & Pareja, J. A. (2005). Spinal Manipulative Therapy in the Management of Cervicogenic Headache. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 45(9), 1260–1263. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.00253_1.x

Gross, A., Miller, J., D’Sylva, J., Burnie, S. J., Goldsmith, C. H., Graham, N., Haines, T., Brønfort, G., Hoving, J. L., & COG (2010). Manipulation or mobilisation for neck pain: a Cochrane Review. Manual therapy, 15(4), 315–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2010.04.002

Haavik, H., & Murphy, B. (2011). Subclinical Neck Pain and the Effects of Cervical Manipulation on Elbow Joint Position Sense. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 34(2), 88–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.12.009

Haavik-Taylor, H., & Murphy, B. (2007). Cervical spine manipulation alters sensorimotor integration: A somatosensory evoked potential study. Clinical Neurophysiology, 118(2), 391–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2006.09.014

Heineman, K. (2024). The Use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for a Case of Cervical Radiculopathy. AAO Journal, 34(1), 31–36. https://doi.org/10.53702/i2375-5717-34.1.31

Indahl, A., Kaigle, A. M., Reikerås, O., & Holm, S. H. (1997). Interaction Between the Porcine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc, Zygapophysial Joints, and Paraspinal Muscles. Spine, 22(24). https://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/fulltext/1997/12150/interaction_between_the_porcine_lumbar.6.aspx

Martínez-Segura, R., Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C., Ruiz-Sáez, M., López-Jiménez, C., & Rodríguez-Blanco, C. (2006). Immediate Effects on Neck Pain and Active Range of Motion After a Single Cervical High-Velocity Low-Amplitude Manipulation in Subjects Presenting with Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 29(7), 511–517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2006.06.022

Orlin, J. R., & Didriksen, A. (2007). Results of Chiropractic Treatment of Lumbopelvic Fixation in 44 Patients Admitted to an Orthopedic Department. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 30(2), 135–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2006.12.011

Ormos, G., Mehrishi, J. N., & Bakács, T. (2009). Reduction in high blood tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels after manipulative therapy in 2 cervicogenic headache patients. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 32(7), 586–591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.08.006

Pickar, J. G., & Wheeler, J. D. (2001). Response of muscle proprioceptors to spinal manipulative-like loads in the anesthetized cat. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 24(1), 2–11. https://doi.org/10.1067/mmt.2001.112017

Roy, R. A., Boucher, J. P., & Comtois, A. S. (2010). Inflammatory response following a short-term course of chiropractic treatment in subjects with and without chronic low back pain. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 9(3), 107–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2010.06.002

Sampath, K. K., Loïc Treffel, P.Thomson, O., Rodi, J. D., Fleischmann, M., & Tumilty, S. (2023). Changes in biochemical markers following a spinal manipulation – a systematic review update. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 32(1), 28–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2023.2252187

Santilli, V., Beghi, E., & Finucci, S. (2006). Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society, 6(2), 131–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2005.08.001

Song, X.-J., Gan, Q., Cao, J.-L., Wang, Z.-B., & Rupert, R. L. (2006). Spinal Manipulation Reduces Pain and Hyperalgesia After Lumbar Intervertebral Foramen Inflammation in the Rat. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 29(1), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.10.001

Sung, P. S., Kang, Y.-M., & Pickar, J. G. (2005). Effect of Spinal Manipulation Duration on Low Threshold Mechanoreceptors in Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles. Spine, 30(1), 115–122. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.brs.0000147800.88242.48

Tafler, L., Katz, V., Kolesnikov, V., & Singh, R. (2022). Successful Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment of Foot Drop. Cureus, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.26590

Teodorczyk-Injeyan, J. A., Injeyan, H. S., & Ruegg, R. (2006). Spinal manipulative therapy reduces inflammatory cytokines but not substance P production in normal subjects. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 29(1), 14–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.10.002

Teodorczyk-Injeyan, J. A., Triano, J. J., McGregor, M., Woodhouse, L., & Injeyan, H. S. (2011). Elevated production of inflammatory mediators including nociceptive chemokines in patients with neck pain: a cross-sectional evaluation. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 34(8), 498–505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.08.010