Treatment Spotlight: Intro to Spinal Manipulation
As we kick off the start of March we are also going to examine a skill of the chiropractic profession that dates all the way back to ancient times and is among one of the modalities that chiropractors are commonly associated with. Let’s take a look at Spinal Manipulation.
The earliest recorded dates of spinal manipulation go as far back as 400 BCE, and in some cases even earlier. Evidence of this practice is seen all over history across many different places and cultures from Hawaii, to central Asia, to Nepal, and even Norway. Again, spinal manipulation wasn’t widely practiced in the mainstream until around the early1900’s.
Spinal manipulations fall on the higher end of therapies known as mobilizations. Mobilizations can range from subtle joint movements to thrustful forces. Depending on the condition, this gradient of force is applied according to what’s clinically indicated. Spinal manipulations are very safe when performed by trained professionals such as chiropractors, and while little risk does exist it’s on a case by case basis that your chiropractor will assess you if spinal manipulations are suited for your needs.
Cervical manipulations are a common and safe way to address neck pain, headaches, and more!
Face joints, pictures above, are the primary joints addressed by spinal manipulations.
Spinal manipulations can be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions such as low-back pain, general back pain, sciatica, neck pain, consistent headaches, and in some cases migraines as well. Some studies also show that manipulations can help treat conditions such as fibromyalgia and COPD.
As always, treatments aren’t a guaranteed fix for every situation and should be accompanied by relevant exercises and recommendations as given by your chiropractor or clinician. If you’re curious about spinal manipulations and how they might benefit you, feel free to ask at your next visit! If you’re interested in reading articles supporting spinal manipulation, click this link!