Benefits of Chiropractic treatment ?

Chiropractic Treatment is known to be incredibly relaxing as it is designed to release tensions held in the body’s musculoskeletal system. The therapeutic benefits are felt in both the muscles and joints as they both receive a gentle but targeted dose of some much-needed amplitude, which elicits various cerebellar and neurophysiological effects by desensitising hypomobile areas, thus increasing awareness, confidence in range of movement, reducing tissue tone and reducing pain.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR JOINTS CRACK OR “POP” ?

The therapy aims to generate a quick but shallow thrust around the functionally restricted anatomical region with the aim to therapeutically gap, restore and improve both the quality and quantity of movement. This therapy separates joint surfaces temporarily and re-establishes normal functional movement alongside reducing pain. The anatomical structures receiving these forces are typically synovial joints, and in the spinal column, these are mainly facet joints.  

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE THAT CHIROPRACTIC THERAPY ACTUALLY WORKS ?

• Cramer et al., (2010) has previously shown three primary mechanical models of how manipulation affects synovial joints. These are either through a) movement of the synovial folds, b) break up of adhesions and/ or c) through stimulation of the mechanoreceptors within the facet joint capsule, all of which aim to re-establish normal joint motion.

• The facet joints within the spinal column are roughly the size of carpal bones found in the wrist. However, they are constantly loaded with forces from, repeated head, neck and upper extremity movements alongside any postural biomechanical deficits. Therefore, it’s important that these joints remain well lubricated. Webb, Collins, Rassoulian and Mitchell, (2011) describe how the synovial folds may become trapped between the articular processes, resulting in either entrapment or extrapment. Both are extremely painful and can be caused by sudden movements or prolonged postures. The vectors involved in SMT tractions the dysfunctional joint and pulls the trapped menisci, freeing up movement in the process.

• Cramer et al.,(2010) has also shown how manipulation breaks up connective tissue adhesions in 8 week hypomobile facet joints. Time dependant changes were also noted by Cramer, Fournier, Wolcott and Henderson, (2004) as they demonstrated facet surface degenerative changes during a 4 week fixation study as well as osteophyte formation in their 8 week old fixation of hypomobile animals. Both of these findings also showed the hallmark signs of spinal degeneration through roughening and pitting, suggesting a direct link between hypomobility, degenerative changes and adhesion development. De Boer et al., (2007) has also shown how hypomobility directly impacts both muscle architecture and changes within joint plasticity.

• Pickar and Bolton, (2012) documents how therapeutic gapping may produce somatosensory activation. Gillette, Kramis and Roberts, (1998) have also shown how different type of mechanoreceptors within facet joints were stimulated after a manipulation. This creates two effects, firstly, a pain suppression response due to the gaiting mechanism and secondly a reflexogenic effect as the surrounding musculature around the thrust relaxes.

• Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) has also shown to elicit various cerebellar and neurophysiological effects by desensitising hypomobile areas, thus increasing awareness, confidence in range of movement, reducing tissue tone and reducing pain. Lelic et al., (2016) used 62 individual electrodes to establish which areas of the brain experienced the most amount of change following SMT. There EEG study demonstrated that somatosensory changes occur, particularly in the pre frontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is most commonly known for executive functions such as decision making, problem solving, spatial awareness, eye movements and short term goal directed tasks. Gyer, Michael, Inklebarger and Tedla, (2019) have also documented several neurophysiological effects of SMT, for instance, neural plastic changes, alteration in motor neuron excitability and an increase in cortical drive.  

The Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment Are Truly Vast. To Make An Appointment, BOOK HERE.