Caring for you Naturally
The Back Dr.
The Facts behind Real Health
There exists a large body of research relevant to the chiropractic profession.
Conditions where Chiropractic has been helpful
Specific Paediatric Conditions |
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Chiropractic Research
Physiotherapy Research
Conditions where Chiropractic Care has been beneficial
Chiropractors do not claim to cure conditions. They simply claim to allow the body to function at its optimum, and subsequently, function better to reduce the symptoms of a condition or in some cases allow the body to heal itself. Below is a list of Conditions that have benefited from chiropractic or Physiotherapy care.
Arthritis
Chiropractic has long given relief from symptoms of arthritis. There is a vicious cycle of pain and loss of mobility that comes with arthritis. It works like this; You have arthritis and as a result joint pain, the joint pain causes you to move less, because you move less there is loss of mobility, as you lose mobility your arthritis worsens and you have more pain, the joint pain causes you to move less... and on and on.
Chiropractic works against arthritis to improve mobility and lessen pain. It works like this; You receive a chiropractic adjustment, the adjustment increases the range of motion in the arthritic joint, increased movement without pain means you will move more, when you move more arthritis is slowed or halted from progressing (some effects of arthritis are even reversed), you receive a chiropractic adjustment, the adjustment increases mobility... and so on.
So instead of following a negative feedback loop and getting worse and worse chiropractic helps you to follow a positive feedback loop and get better and better.
Asthma
The chiropractic management of asthma typically involves addressing the biomechanics of the thoracic spine and rib cage. This will allow the muscles of respiration to function at their optimum, and remove any structural misalignment or subluxations that may be contributing to the patient's asthma.
Chiropractic care may also involve treatment of the neck and pelvis. Muscles around the neck are commonly used by asthmatics to assist them in breathing, therefore it is important to ensure this region of the spine is functioning well. Biomechanical faults or subluxations in the lumbar spine and pelvis may also lead to compensatory changes in the thoracic spine, so problems in this area must also be assessed.
Adjustments to the segments of the thoracic spine which give their nerve supply to the lungs, trachea, and bronchi may also assist these organs to reach optimum function. Research that is currently being conducted in Australia suggests that spinal manipulation may also be able to help the asthmatic patient by improving their immune system, and reducing levels of anxiety and depression.
Chiropractic management of asthma involves co management with the patient's doctor, a patient will not be advised to cease or reduce any medication except under medical advice.
Back and Neck Pain
There are many possible causes of back pain. Chiropractors and Physiotherapists undergo many years of training with an emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of back and neck pain.
On your initial visit your chiropractor will take a thorough history, and perform a complete examination in order to determine exactly what structures are causing your pain. They will then recommend a treatment schedule for you.
There have been many published studies which suggest that chiropractic is an effective and safe form of treatment for back complaints. See the references listed below, or the research section for examples of research into the benefits of chiropractic and physiotherapy care.
Bell's Palsy
The cause of Bell's Palsy is unknown to medicine. It is thought that it may be due to an inflammatory reaction in
the facial nerve caused by a viral infection.
Chiropractors beleive that dysfunction of the spine, particularly in the upper cervical region leads to a functional change in jaw function. This change leads to TMJ or Jaw joint problems. The nerve affected with Bells Palsy is close to the TMJ. TMJ dysfunction will create inflammation which can affect the nerve.
Chiropractic adjustment of subluxations allows these tissues to return to a normal state, restoring the body's ability to fight off the infection. Large randomized controlled trials into chiropractic treatment of Bell's Palsy are lacking, however there are several published cases where chiropractic care has resulted in the course of the condition being significantly limited compared to what was expected with conventional medical management.
High Blood Pressure / Hypertension
The causes of high blood pressure or essential hypertension are multi factorial; they are thought to include intrinsic factors such as genetics, a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system, and dysfunction of the renin-angiotensin system.
Hypertension is also influenced by extrinsic factors such as obesity, atherosclerosis, smoking, and excessive alcohol intake.
Chiropractic management of hypertension addresses some of the intrinsic factors, particularly where the sympathetic nervous system has become hyperactive. The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system which monitors our body at subconscious level; it regulates things like body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. It is made up of two components, the parasympathetic nervous system, and the sympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic nervous system coordinates the body's response to stress, while the parasympathetic coordinates the body's more vegetative functions such as digestion.
When the sympathetic nervous system becomes over-active or facilitated it can produce a number of symptoms, including an increase in blood pressure. When the parasympathetic nervous system becomes inhibited, it can result in a relative facilitation of the sympathetic nervous system, which may also lead to an increase in blood pressure.
The nerves of the sympathetic nervous system leave the spinal cord throughout the thoracic and lumbar spines. A subluxation effecting these areas of thespine may lead to facilitation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in an increase in blood pressure.
Chiropractic adjustment to correct these subluxations may therefore result in a decrease in blood pressure.
The nerves of the parasympathetic nervous system leave from the brain stem, at the base of the brain, and from the spinal cord at the level of the sacrum. A subluxation effecting the upper cervical spine or the sacrum and pelvis may lead to inhibition of the
parasympathetic nervous system, the net result of which is facilitation of the sympathetic nervous system which may lead to increased blood pressure.
Chiropractic adjustment to correct these subluxations may reverse this inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system, and via effects on the sympathetic nervous system lead to a decrease in blood pressure.
Chiropractic management of hypertension involves co management with the patient's doctor. The patient will be advised to continue to follow medical advice such as dietary and lifestyle changes, and will not be advised to cease or reduce any medication except after consultation with their
doctor.
Brain Function / Emotional Health
There are many clinical accounts where chiropractors and patients have noticed improvements in mental function and emotional health with chiropractic care. It is thought that freeing the spinal nerves of interference from subluxations allows for cortical reprogramming resulting in improved brain functioning.
There have been cases where patients with depression and anxiety have found their symptoms dramatically improve with chiropractic care. There are also reported cases where children with learning disabilities and behavioral problems have reported improvement in academic results following chiropractic care.
There are several different theories that may account for how the removal of vertebral subluxations may lead to improvements in brain function. One theory relates simply to the amount of blood reaching the brain. It is well known that misalignment of upper cervical vertebrae may place stress on the vertebral arteries and reduce the amount of blood reaching the brain.
Another theory suggests that stimulation of pain-causing fibres in upper neck may lead to decreased functioning of the occipital and parietal lobes.
Another theory relates to the spinal accessory nerve. This is a cranial nerve which supplies the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles of the neck and shoulders. Vertebral subluxations that effect these muscles may in turn effect the spinal accessory nerve, producing an inhibitory function on the brain stem, through which all messages travel between the body and the cortex.
Chiropractic is in no way a substitute for psychiatric care or counseling. Your chiropractor will will perform a thorough history and examination on your initial visit and may refer you to an appropriate practitioner if necessary.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs where the median nerve which supplies the hand is compressed at the wrist. Some of the causes include poor biomechanics, overuse injury, and fluid retention.
Chiropractic management of carpal tunnel syndrome is focused on correcting the biomechanics of the wrist, as well as adjacent joints such as the elbow, shoulder and cervical spine. Your chiropractor may apply specific adjustments to the joints of the small bones in the wrist to relieve pressure on the median nerve.
He or she may also treat the elbow, shoulder, and the spine, particularly in the neck as subluxations of these joints may interfere with the biomechanics of the wrist. It is thought that nerve irritation due to subluxations in the cervical spine may predispose to nerve irritation in the wrist - this is known as the double crush theory.
Your chiropractor may apply specific stretches and soft tissue releases to the muscles of the forearm, and may give you stretches to do at home. You may also be given ergonomic advice to prevent overuse injuries, such as correct hand and wrist position when using a keyboard. You may be advised to wear a splint on the wrist at night.
There are cases where chiropractic management has helped to patients with carpal tunnel syndrome to avoid surgery.
Constipation / Diarrhoea
There are many possible causes of gastrointestinal dysfunction involving constipation and/or diarrhea; these include inadequate diet, poor gastrointestinal flora, certain pathological processes, and disturbances of the autonomic nervous system.
Chiropractic evaluation will first involve a thorough history, and possible medical referral where it is necessary to rule out any pathological processes. Your chiropractor may also provide advice on improving your diet to include appropriate amounts of fibre and fluid, and an appropriate level of physical activity.
Where these avenues have been exhausted your chiropractor will assess your spine for any possible causes of disturbances to the autonomic nervous system.
The autonomic nervous system monitors our body at a subconscious level; it regulates things like body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and defecation. It is made up of two components, the parasympathetic nervous system, and the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system coordinates the body's response to stress, while the parasympathetic coordinates the body's more vegetative functions such as digestion.
In the ideal conditions these two components establish an equilibrium, however when this equilibrium is disturbed it can result in constipation and/or diarrhoea. The nerves of the sympathetic nervous system leave the spinal cord throughout the thoracic and lumbar spines, the nerves of the parasympathetic nervous system leave from the brain stem, at the base of the brain, and from the spinal cord at the level of the sacrum. A subluxation affecting these areas of the spine may lead to a disturbance of the equilibrium between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, resulting in gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Chiropractic adjustment to correct these subluxations may re-establish the equilibrium and restore gastrointestinal function.
Hearing Problems / Deafness
Daniel David Palmer was born on March 7, 1845, a few miles east of Toronto, Canada. He was a magnetic healer for nine years previous to discovering the principles which comprise the method known as Chiropractic.
Harvey Lillard, a janitor, in the Ryan Block, where he had his office, had been so deaf for 17 years that he could not hear the racket of a wagon on the street or the ticking of a watch. I made inquiry as to the cause of his deafness and was informed that when he was exerting himself in a cramped, stooping position, he felt something give way in his back and immediately became deaf. An examination showed a vertebra racked from its normal position.
DD Palmer reasoned that if that vertebra was replaced, the man's hearing should be restored. With this object in view, a half-hour's talk persuaded Mr. Lillard to allow him to replace it. He racked it into position by using the spinous process as a lever and soon the man could hear as before.
Chiropractic treatment is also helpful in the treatment of tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Headaches and Migraines
There are many different types of headaches, with many different causes.
On your initial visit your chiropractor will perform a thorough history and examination to determine the diagnosis of your headaches, and the most appropriate treatment schedule. Where it is necessary to rule out any pathology your chiropractor may refer you to your general practitioner for further tests. They may also address other predisposing factors such as diet and sleep.
One of the most common causes of headaches and migraines is the vertebral subluxation. Vertebral subluxations cause a pathophysiological change in the nerve, muscular, vascular, ligamentous and connective tissue supplied by the affected nerve. This change results in aberrant messages being sent from these tissues, via the spinal cord, to the brain, resulting in muscle tension and inflammation of surrounding tissues, and producing a headache or migraine.
Chiropractic adjustment of subluxations allows these aberrant messages to return to a normal state, resulting in a reduction of the muscle tension, reversal of the inflammatory process and removal of the headache.
There are several clinical trials as well as numerous published cases where chiropractic has significantly reduced the number and severity of headaches and migraines experienced by patients.
Indigestion / Stomach Ulcers
The term indigestion encompasses a wide variety of upper gastrointestinal symptoms and conditions, including heartburn, oesophagitis, hiatus hernia, reflux, gastritis, and even gastic and peptic ulcers. It is thought that these conditions can be the result of recurrent vertebral subluxation, particularly in the region of the thoracic spine that supplies the upper gastrointestinal region.
Subluxations produce nerve interference which can interfere with the efficient functioning of the organs and structures of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
On initial consultation your chiropractor will perform a complete history and examination. They may discuss with you issues such as diet and obesity which could be exacerbating your condition. They may also refer you to a medical practitioner if further examination is required to rule out serious pathology.
Infertility / Impotence
The chiropractic approach to infertility involves addressing biomechanical faults and nerve interference that may be preventing a woman from conceiving or a man from performing.
Your chiropractor will asses the biomechanics of the pelvis, to ensure that it is functioning efficiently, and is structurally prepared to carry a pregnancy to full-term. Your chiropractor will also examine the spine for any subluxations which may be interfering with nervous flow. It is thought that vertebral subluxations cause a pathophysiological change in the nerve, muscular, vascular, ligamentous and connective tissue supplied by the affected nerve.
Subluxations affecting nerve flow to the reproductive organs will inhibit their ability to function, and may make it impossible for a woman to conceive or a man to perform.
Large clinical trials are lacking, however there are many published case studies where chiropractic care has assisted women in falling pregnant and giving birth to healthy babies. Your chiropractor may encourage you to seek medical advice to rule out any serious pathology which may be the cause of infertility.
Injuries
Chiropractors and Physiotherapists are highly qualified to address many types of injuries involving the bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves and joints. These range from simple falls, to sporting injuries, whiplash, and injuries resulting from repetitive overuse or poor lifting techniques.
Sprain/strain type injuries are dealt with by chiropractors and physios on a daily basis. These types of injuries can lead to spinal and peripheral joint subluxations which produce pain, muscle spasm, inflammation, and restricted movement. If not dealt with appropriately at the time of the injury they can set up chronic pain conditions many years down the track, and these are much harder to reverse once they have reached this stage.
Your chiro or physio is well equipped to deal with acute injuries in the first hours after they have occurred. In the acute phase they can provide treatment and advice to minimize the damage and assist in rapid healing.
Your chiro or physio can be involved in each stage of care after an injury. In the sub-acute phase they can begin to provide treatment to repair damage done in the injury and asses the biomechanics of the injured area and surrounding areas to address any factors which may pre-dispose to re-injury.
They may also provide rehabilitation exercises and advice to return structures to their pre-injury state, and prevent further injury in the future.
Jaw Problems
The jaw or temperomandibular joint (TMJ) is a common source of pain and discomfort for many people. It's function is closely linked to the function of the neck, so problems in the neck can lead to jaw problems, and conversely jaw problems can result in neck dysfunction.
The TMJ may produce local pain, directly over the joint, or alternatively may refer pain to both the neck and the ear. In babies, TMJ injury can occur during the birth process and this can be a common cause of breast feeding difficulties.
Chiropractic has been very successful in the management of many TMJ problems. Treatment may involve adjustment, stretches, muscle releases, and rehabilition of the joint itself, as well as a thorough assessment of the cervical spine, as it relates to TMJ function.
Dentition is obviously also closely linked to jaw function, therefore your chiropractor may recommend co-management with a dentist.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
One of the major consequences of motor vehicle accidents can be a whiplash injury. Whiplash can cause damage to the soft tissue, nervous, muscular, ligamentous and bony structures of the neck. These injuries can be extremely painful, debilitating, and long-lasting if not treated appropriately soon after the injury has occurred. Long term effects can include irreversible arthritic degeneration of the cervical spine, and scar tissue formation.
Your chiropractor can assist you in a more rapid recovery from injury, and in avoiding long-term effects. It is advisable that you see your chiropractor as soon after the accident as possible, preferably within the first 48 hours. Your therapist will perform a thorough history and examination, to determine exactly which structures have been damaged.
They will perform x-rays to rule out any serious bony injury or instability. Initial treatment involves reduction of inflammation with ice or electophysical therapy and gentle range of motion exercises to maintain movement of the spine within its pain-free range. As the inflammation settles down the treatment focuses on restoring movement to the spine, and rehabilitation of injured muscles.
Throughout the treatment your therapist may prescribe exercises for you to do at home.
Multiple Sclerosis
Chiropractors do not treat multiple sclerosis directly, rather they assist in the removal of nerve stress caused by vertebral subluxations. Vertebral subluxations cause a pathophysiological change in the nerve, muscular, vascular, ligamentous and connective tissue supplied by the affected nerve. In some individuals this nerve interference may cause or exacerbate the symptoms of MS.
Chiropractic adjustment of subluxations allows the affected nerves to return to a normal state, leading to a possible improvement in symptoms. Subluxations can be caused by many things such as accidents, falls, poor posture, repetitive movements, and child birth.
Large randomized controlled trials into the chiropractic treatment of MS are lacking, however there have been some single case studies published which demonstrate improvement in symptoms in some patients, and in some cases an apparent reversal of the progression of the disease.
Multiple Sclerosis Case Study
This article reviews the upper cervical chiropractic care of a single patient with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This 47-year-old female first experienced symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at age 44, when she noticed cognitive problems and loss of bladder control. After viewing multiple lesions on MRI (MS plaques), her neurologist diagnosed her with MS. Two years later, she noticed additional symptoms of leg weakness and paresthesias in her arms and legs. Her symptoms progressively worsened without remission, so her neurologist categorized her as having chronic progressive MS and recommended drug therapy (Avonex).
Upon initial examination of this patient, evidence of an upper cervical subluxation was found using precise upper cervical radiographs and paraspinal digital infrared imaging. The patient's medical history included one possible mechanism (a fall approximately ten years prior), which could have caused her upper cervical subluxation.
The patient was placed on a specially designed knee-chest table for adjustment, which was delivered by hand to the first cervical vertebra according to radiographic findings. Monitoring of the patient's progress was through doctor's observation, patient's subjective description of symptoms, thermographic scans, neurologist's evaluation and MRI. The patient was managed with upper cervical chiropractic care for two years.
After four months of upper cervical chiropractic care, all Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms were absent. A follow-up MRI showed no new lesions as well as a reduction in intensity of the original lesions. After a year passed in which the patient remained asymptomatic, another follow-up MRI was performed. Once again, the MRI showed no new lesions and a continued reduction in intensity of the original lesions. Two years after upper cervical chiropractic care began, all MS symptoms remained absent.
This case report revealed that this specific upper cervical procedure (thermal imaging, cervical radiographs, and knee-chest adjustments) was associated with a successful outcome for a patient with Multiple Sclerosis. Post MRI's, post thermographic scans, and the patient's neurologist's evaluation all suggested the intervention of upper cervical chiropractic care may have stimulated a reversal in the progression of Multiple Sclerosis.
Journal Of Vertebral Subluxation Research Erin L. Elster, D.C; author
Neck Pain
There are many possible causes of neck pain. Chiropractors and physiotherapists undergo many years of training with an emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of back and neck pain.
There have been many published studies which suggest that chiropractic is an effective and safe form of treatment for neck pain. See the references listed below, or the chiropractic research section above for examples of research into the benefits of chiropractic care.
Post-Polio
Post-polio is characterized by a past history of acute poliomyelitis in childhood or adolescence, and residual symptoms including general fatigue, pain, muscular weakness and wasting. Your chiropractor can assist in the management of this condition by reducing muscle asymmetries and restoring correct biomechanics to your spine.
Treatment may involve specific spinal adjustments aimed at restoring functional biomechanics and improving nervous flow. It may also include specific muscle rehabilitation and stretching to improve muscle strength and function, and to reduce muscle asymmetries which can lead to the development of pain syndromes. Your physio may give you exercises and stretches to do at home.
Pregnancy
The extra weight a woman carries during pregnancy can dramatically change the biomechanics of her spine and put considerable strain on her back. Also, the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy lead to changes in the ligaments as the body prepares for the labor. As a result, many women suffer from back pain during pregnancy.
Chiropractic can help the woman's body to adapt to the rapid changes that take place during this time. Another advantage of chiropractic during pregnancy is that it can identify and correct any misalignments in the pelvis and lumbar spine which could possibly interfere with the labour.When the pelvis is functioning properly the baby is able to pass through more easily.
When subluxations exist they can interfere with nerve supply to the uterus, removal of these subluxations may allow the body to undergo a labor with fewer complications. Many women who experience back pain during pregnancy continue to have problems long after the birth of their child, chiropractic during pregnancy can help women to avoid these future complications.
Rehabilitation
During situations like acute injury, post-surgery or chronic pain syndromes changes occur in the muscles, joints and ligaments to adapt to the altered biomechanics produced by pain and injury. This can lead to muscle weakness, wasting, and asymmetries.
Your chiropractor and physiotherapist can assist in restoring the biomechanics and improving muscle strength, symmetry and stability. Muscle strength and stability is necessary for our spines to function properly and to avoid injury from the stresses we place on them every day.
A rehabilitation program may be instituted during the care of back injury to assist in a more rapid recovery and to help to avoid re-injury. You physiotherapist will prescribe a set of exercises for you to do at home, and will assist you in doing them correctly.
Skin - Eczema & Psoriasis
When the spine becomes misaligned or subluxated it causes interference with nerve transmission to and from all parts of the body. Subluxations can be caused by many things such as accidents, falls, poor posture, repetitive movements, and child birth. They can lead to pain, discomfort, tight muscles, restricted mobility, and even adverse effects to the organs of the body.
It is thought that in some people with eczema and psoriasis, nerve interference from subluxations in the spine may cause or exacerbate their symptoms. While there are no large clinical trials into chiropractic treatment of eczema and psoriasis, there are numerous individual cases where skin conditions have been dramatically improved by chiropractic care.
On your initial visit, your chiropractor will assess your spine for vertebral subluxations, and may recommend a trial of treatment to determine if chiropractic can be of assistance in your particular case.
Spinal Health
Chiropractic care is focused on preventing problems that may arise in the spine as a result of our busy lifestyles. Most causes of spinal dysfunction are the result of microtrauma to tissues over months or years.
Microtrauma can be caused by incorrect posture, lifting heavy weights, and minor falls or accidents, to name a few. Over time these microtraumas, which usually cause no pain at all, build up to cause a clinical pain syndrome. This is why many people with back pain report that they were only doing something trivial when they injured their back. it is likely that this trivial event, such as bending over to tie their shoe-laces, was the final straw which lead to their pain after years of microtrauma.
Regular chiropractic care can identify and treat subluxations before they lead to back or neck pain, and other conditions such as asthma, indigestion and migraines. Usually, by the time the person is in pain or experiencing symptoms, it takes much longer for the body to heal than if the problem had been addressed earlier, sometimes by this time irreversible damage has been done.
It is recommended that everybody sees a chiropractor infrequently for regular maintenance care. This is especially important if they have experienced back pain before, however anybody can see a chiropractor at any time, even if they have never had back pain but are simply interested in preventing problems in the future.
Sports Performance
Chiropractic care is thought to improve sports performance in many athletes. Many professional sports people visit chiropractors regularly, and many teams employ chiropractors on their staff.
The benefits of chiropractic care include enhanced performance form improved structural biomechanics, optimum nerve and blood supply to all tissues, improved proprioception of joints and optimum length and functioning of muscles.
Regular chiropractic care care can also help to prevent injuries, promote faster healing and recovery time after sport, and lengthen the sporting career by helping to prevent long term degeneration of joints. Chiropractic can benefit amateur sports people and even children, as well as professionals.
Torticollis
Torticollis occurs when the patient has a painful muscle spasm in their neck and is unable to move their head fully. The patient usually wakes up in the morning with the condition, and often there is no obvious cause.
Chiropractic care can help Torticollis by relieving the muscle spasm and treating subluxations in the neck that may be the cause of the problem. Your chiropractor can also give you advice and exercises to help you prevent the condition from reoccurring.
Some babies are born with a form of torticollis known as congenital torticollis. This is often due to damage to the baby's spine as a result of birth trauma, especially during breech delivery. In this case chiropractic can assist in lengthening the muscle and treating subluxations in the baby's neck which may be the cause of the problem. In this case best results can be achieved if the baby sees a chiropractor as soon after the problem is detected as possible.
Vision Problems
There are few clinical trials into chiropractic treatment of vision problems, however many chiropractic patients report improvements in vision after receiving chiropractic care. While there have been some cases where sight has been restored following trauma, these are rare. Most commonly the patient will have noticed that their vision has deteriorated over the last few weeks, often this is associated with onset or worsening of neck pain and headaches.
Adjustments to the vertebrae in their neck has been noticed to improve this small subjective visual loss. It is believed that treatment of subluxations in the upper neck help to restore blood flow to the brain, and allow the nerves emerging form the base of the brain, which supply the eyes to function more efficiently.
Specific Paediatric Conditions
Autism
Chiropractic care differs from many of the other therapies used with autistic's in that it is directed to the heart of the problem: the lack of homeostasis in the body, which can, in turn, produce a disease state. Treatments are directed to the imbalances in the nervous system which inhibit sensory processing.
By directly affecting the nervous system, chiropractic care for the autistic child can begin to change the many sensory integration issues by facilitating input into the organs and areas of the body involved in sensory integration, including the skin and the nervous system."
Imbalances in the nervous system are caused by "Subluxations" in the spine. "The presence of Subluxation can cause illness as well as a host of other problems for the child.""
Bed Wetting
Chiropractic care has experienced some success in treating bed wetting or nocturnal enuresis in children. Before the age of six years nocturnal enuresis is usually considered normal and will generally resolve with further development of the neurological system. After age 6 nocturnal enuresis should be investigated for possible causes, in some cases there may be recurrent urinary tract infections, structural abnormality, or emotional stressors which lead to the condition.
Your chiropractor may refer you to a medical professional to rule out any of these possibilities. In many cases nocturnal enuresis beyond the age of six has no known cause, and is generally self-limiting. Chiropractic care has been found in some cases to be able to shorten the natural history of this distressing condition.
It is thought that vertebral subluxations cause a pathophysiological change in the nerve, muscular, vascular, ligamentous and connective tissue supplied by the affected nerve. This change results in aberrant messages being sent from these tissues, via the spinal cord to the brain, resulting in altered function of the tissues and organs supplied by that nerve.
In the case of nocturnal enuresis it is thought thatsubluxations may result in altered nerve supply to the bladder, and prevent the child from knowing when the bladder is full, and interfering with the voluntary and involuntary control of bladder function.
Chiropractic adjustment of subluxations allows these aberrant messages to return to a normal state, allowing correction of organ function. Subluxations can be caused by many things such as accidents, falls, poor posture, repetitive movements, and child birth.
Baby Walkers
Baby walkers are generally discouraged by chiropractors as they are a major source of significant childhood injury, and may interfere with the normal development of the child's spine. Baby Walkers are responsible for many injuries to children from 7 to 14 months, including falls down stairs, tip over's, burns, and finger amputations.
From a chiropractic perspective, they can interfere with the child's normal developmental processes. The development of a child's spine begins as they first learn to raise their head while lying on their stomach. This is the beginning of development of the normal curve in the child's neck. As they learn to sit, they further develop the muscles of the neck, and also the thoracic spine. As the baby starts to crawl they are developing motor skills and coordination which they will need later in life. At this stage the child also learns to stand while holding on to furniture, this begins the development of the normal curve in their lumbar spine, and strengthening of the postural muscles in their lower back and legs.
Baby walkers interfere with this normal developmental process by prematurely allowing the child to walk before it has developed appropriate bone and muscle strength and motor coordination. Many parents believe that baby walkers will help their child to learn to walk faster, studies have shown that this is not the case. Children need to experience the various developmental stages before moving onto the next one for proper coordination and muscle strength. In fact, it is thought that children who use baby walkers develop altered gait patterns which stay with them into their later life
School Back Packs
As Aussie children head off to school everyday, Chiropractors are alarmed that up to 70 percent of children are risking permanent spinal damage by carrying badly fitted or incorrectly packed bags.
It is becoming apparent that adult back pain and spinal disorders may stem from childhood activities, including carrying a heavily over loaded bag for 12 years. Using a backpack instead of a carry bag can reduce the incidence of back pain by more than 23%, but this is only when the backpack is worn correctly over both shoulders. Carrying backpacks over one shoulder or using brief case style bags can cause injury
Figures from a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine have shown that 68.6% of children using hand held school bags and 53.7% of children carrying a bag on one shoulder are experiencing back pain.
Children should never carry a load weighing any more than 10% of their body weight. Many of the current bags children are using may be fashionable, but unless they allow for an even distribution of weight across the back, they can cause back pain in children.
The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia has worked with leading Australian school bag manufacturer, Spartan, to design and test the country’s first Chiropractor endorsed backpack that will minimize the risk of spinal damage, and appeal to a student’s fashion sense.
Congenital Torticollis
Some babies are born with a form of torticollis known as congenital torticollis. This is often due to damage to the baby's spine as a result of birth trauma, especially during breech delivery. In this case chiropractic can assist in lengthening the muscle and treating subluxations in the baby's neck which may be the cause of the problem. Best results can be achieved if the baby sees a chiropractor as soon after the problem is detected as possible.
Cerebral Palsy / Epilepsy / Seizures
Chiropractors do not treat cerebral palsy, epilepsy or seizures directly, rather they assist in the removal of nerve stress caused by vertebral subluxations. Vertebral subluxations cause a pathophysiological change in the nerve, muscular, vascular, ligamentous and connective tissue supplied by the affected nerve. This change results in aberrant messages being sent from these tissues, via the spinal cord to the brain, resulting in altered brain biochemistry. In some individuals these aberrant messages may exacerbate some of the symptoms of cerebral palsy.
Chiropractic adjustment of subluxations allows these aberrant messages to return to a normal state, allowing changes in brain biochemistry and possibly improvement of some cerebral palsy symptoms. Subluxations can be caused by many things such as accidents, falls, poor posture, repetitive movements, and child birth.
Large randomized controlled trials into the chiropractic treatment of cerebral palsy are lacking, however there have been some single case studies published which demonstrate improvement in symptoms for people with cerebral palsy.
Infantile Colic
Almost all infants develop periods of fussiness. This is often referred to as colic. It has been defined as periods of irritability, fussiness and inconsolable crying in a healthy baby (that lasts for at least three hours a day, at least three days a week). But colic is actually a default diagnosis.
Pain from sources other than the gastrointestinal tract can be improperly diagnosed as colic. If a baby is crying inconsolably, it is very difficult to know if he is actually suffering from a digestive disturbance. Since many subluxations in infants are in the upper cervical area, there is a strong possibility, especially when there has been a history of birth trauma, that these babies are suffering from head and neck pain due to spinal subluxations in this area.
In a study looking at babies receiving chiropractic care for colic, 94 percent of parents saw improvement in their baby's behavior within two weeks of initiation of care. A little over half of these babies had already been unsuccessfully treated, usually by pharmacological means (Klougart et al., 1989). Another study found 91 percent of babies experienced a reduction in colicky behavior following as little as two chiropractic adjustments (Nilsson, 1985).
Scoliosis
Scoliosis refers to lateral curvature of the spine. Scoliosis usually develops during childhood and adolescence, and most have no known cause. Many people have slight scolioses which cause them no problems, and are hardly visible to the naked eye. Some children and adolescents however develop severe scolioses which can lead to visual deformity of the spine, and cause pain and limitation of movement. For these children it is important to detect the scoliosis so that early management can occur.
In most cases chiropractic will not straighten a scoliosis, but can help to slow its progression and prevent some of the compensatory pain syndromes that accompany it. Chiropractic management involves addressing any biomechanical imbalances that are present in the spine, so that the child's spine has the best possible chance of developing and functioning normally.
In some children with severe scoliosis surgical or orthopedic intervention may be necessary, in this case your chiropractor will refer you to a suitable specialist. If you have noticed that your child has a curvature in their spine, a chiropractor can examine your child and recommend suitable management. You may chooses simply to monitor progression of the scoliosis with x-ray analysis over the next few months or years.
Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Research
Cost Effectiveness of Physiotherapy, Manual Therapy, and GP Care for Neck Pain: Economic Evaluation Alongside A Randomized Controlled Trial BMJ 2003; 326: 911-14
A study published in the British Medical Journal in April 2003 compared the effectiveness, and overall cost of manual therapy, physiotherapy, and general practitioner care in the treatment of 183 patients with neck pain. The manual therapy group recovered more rapidly than those treated by physiotherapists or general practitioners. Recovery rates after seven weeks of manual therapy were 68%, one-third greater than with physiotherapy at 51%, and almost double that of general practitioner care at 36%. Manual therapy was also found to be more cost effective than the other forms of treatment for neck pain; the total costs of manual therapy were around one third the costs of physiotherapy and general practitioner care.
American Chiropractic Association: New Study is Further Support for Safe Alternatives to Drugs
A new study showing that spinal manipulation is just as effective as traditional medical care for treating back pain should come as welcome news to patients looking for safe, drug-free alternatives to medical treatment, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).
The June 3 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine proves what the chiropractic profession has known for decades -- that spinal manipulation, or chiropractic adjustment, is an effective alternative to drugs and surgery for back pain, one of the most pervasive conditions afflicting Americans today.
"Our society has become more and more health-conscious in recent years. In keeping with that trend, people are making better food choices, exercising more, and beginning to question the number of potentially harmful drugs they might be taking," said Daryl D. Wills, DC, President of the American Chiropractic Association. "This study indicates to me that consumers can avoid taking drugs for back pain in favor of a safer form of care, without sacrificing any of the benefit. Nowhere does the study indicate that analgesics or any other treatment is more effective than chiropractic care."
Because of the increased attention back pain has attracted in recent years, medical doctors have been referring patients to doctors of chiropractic more than ever before. For years, doctors of chiropractic have advised their patients on prevention of back pain through exercise, proper ergonomics and other active solutions.
According to Dr. Wills, however, the study is not without limitations. "A problem with this study is its very narrow evaluation of the available research. For example, it does not mention the Canadian Manga Reports which found that chiropractic care is more effective, safer and less costly than medical care and that many medical treatments for low back pain are untested,questionable or harmful in nature. The study also failed to address the federal government's guidelines on low back problems which found that spinal manipulation was the only treatment that can relieve symptoms, increase function and hasten recovery."
Effects of Inclusion of a Chiropractic Benefit on the Utilization of Health Care Resources in Managed Health Care Plan
http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/ABSTRACTS/Effects_of_Inclusion.shtml
Health insurance coverage for chiropractic care is restricted compared to most other health care services.
A four-year longitudinal study using administrative claims data compared 700,000 health plan members with chiropractic coverage to 1 million health plan members without chiropractic coverage.
Total health care costs for members with chiropractic coverage was 12% lower than plan members without coverage. The cost of treating episodes of low back pain was 28% lower in the group with chiropractic coverage, and the aggregate cost of back pain care per patient over the four-year period was 8% lower in the covered group. Back pain patients with chiropractic coverage had fewer inpatient stays than did those without chiropractic coverage.
The rate of lower back surgery among patients with chiropractic coverage was lower as well. The data also demonstrated that inclusion of a chiropractic benefit in a managed health care plan results in a reduction in the overall utilization of health care resources, and thereby, cost savings.
CCM Maska Sports
CCM Maska Sports (A Canadian sports accessories company) employed a regular (monthly) chiropractic program for it's staff from 1995-99 (Still in place). They saw the number of workplace accidents and occupational diseases pass from 107 and 46 in 1995 to 5 and 1 in 1999.
Its required workers compensation costs changed from $740,200.00 in 1996 to $14,500.00 in 1999. These results speak for themselves.
Manga Report
A major study to assess the most appropriate use of available health care resources was reported in 1993. This was an outcome study funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and conducted in hopes of sharing information about ways to reduce the incidence of work-related injuries, and to address cost-effective ways to rehabilitate disabled and injured workers. The study was conducted by three health economists led by University of Ottawa Professor Pran Manga, Ph.D. The report of this study is commonly called the Manga Report. The Manga Report overwhelmingly supported the efficacy, safety, scientific validity, and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic for low-back pain. Additionally, it found out that higher patient satisfaction levels were associated with chiropractic care than with medical treatment alternatives.
Rand Study on Low Back Pain
A four-phase study conducted in the early 1990s by RAND, one of America's most prestigious centers for research in public policy, science and technology, explored many indications of low-back pain. In the RAND studies, an expert panel of researchers, including medicaldoctors and doctors of chiropractic, found that: --chiropractors deliver a substantial amount of health care to the U.S. population. --spinal manipulations are of benefit to some patients with acute low-back pain. The RAND study marked the first time that representatives of the medical community went on record stating that spinal manipulation is an appropriate treatment for certain low-back pain conditions.
Florida Workers' Compensation Study
A 1988 study of 10,652 Florida workers' compensation cases was conducted by Steve Wolk, Ph.D., and reported by the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research. It was concluded that "a claimant with a back-related injury, when initially treated by a chiropractor versus a medical doctor, is less likely to become temporarily disabled, or if disabled, remains disabled for a shorter period of time; and claimants treated by medical doctors were hospitalized at a much higher rate than claimants treated by chiropractors.
Washington HMO Study
A survey administered by Daniel C. Cherkin, Ph.D., concluded that patients receiving care from health maintenance organizations (HMO's) within the state of Washington were three times as likely to report satisfaction with care from chiropractors as they were with care from other physicians. The patients were also more likely to believe that their chiropractor was concerned about them.
Utah Workers' Compensation Study
A workers' compensation study conducted in Utah by Kelly B. Jarvis, D.C., Reed B. Phillips, D.C., Ph.D., and Elliot K. Morris, JD, MBA, compared the cost of chiropractic care to the costs of medical care for conditions with identical diagnostic codes. Results were reported in the August 1991 Journal of Occupational Medicine. The study indicated that costs were significantly higher for medical claims than for chiropractic claims; in addition, the number of work days lost was nearly ten times higher for those who received medical care instead of chiropractic care.
The New Zealand Commission Report
A particularly significant study of chiropractic was conducted between 1978-1980 by the New Zealand Commission. In its 377-page report to the House of Representatives, the Commission called its study "probably the most comprehensive and detailed independent examination of chiropractic ever undertaken in any country."
The Commission entered the inquiry with "the general impression ... shared by many in the community: that chiropractic was an unscientific cult, not to be compared with orthodox medical or paramedical services."
By the end of the inquiry, the commission reported itself "irresistibly and with complete unanimity drawn to the conclusion that modern chiropractic is a soundly-based and valuable branch of health care in a specialized area..." Conclusions of the Commission's report, based on investigations in New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, stated:
-- Spinal manual therapy in the hands of a registered chiropractor is safe. -- Spinal manual therapy can be effective in relieving musculo-skeletal symptoms such as back pain, and other symptoms known to respond to such therapy, such as migraine.
-- Chiropractors are the only health practitioners who are necessarily equipped by their education and training to carry out spinal manual therapy.
-- In the public interest and in the interests of patients, there must be no impediment to full professional cooperation between chiropractors and medical practitioners.
Stano Cost Comparison Study
A study by Miron Stano, Ph.D., reported in the June 1993 Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics involved 395,641 patients with neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Results over a two-year period showed that patients who received chiropractic care incurred significantly lower health care costs than did patients treated solely by medical or osteopathic physicians.
Australian Comparative Study
A 12-month study conducted by P.S. Ebrall, BAppSc, and reported in the June 1992 Chiropractic Journal of Australia indicated: When chiropractic management was chosen, fewer claimants required compensation and fewer compensation days were taken. When medical management was chosen, the average payment per claim was greater and a greater number of patients regressed to chronic status, and the average payment per claim was greater.
Oregon Workers' Compensation Study
A 1991 report on a workers' compensation study conducted in Oregon by Joanne Nyiendo, Ph.D., concluded that the median time loss days (per case) for comparable injuries was 9.0 for patients receiving treatment by a doctor of chiropractic and 11.5 for treatment by a medical doctor.
The Meade Study
A study conducted by T.W. Meade, a medical doctor, and reported in the June 2, 1990, British Medical Journal concluded after two years of patient monitoring, "for patients with low-back pain in whom manipulation is not contraindicated, chiropractic almost certainly confers worthwhile, long-term benefit in comparison with hospital outpatient management."
Koes' Clinical Trial
The Positive Results of Chiropractic are Lasting: Manipulative therapy (chiropractic) and physiotherapy were compared as treatments for persistent back and neck complaints. After 12 months, the manipulative therapy group showed greater improvement in the primary complaint with fewer visits.
Saskatchewan Clinical Research Study
Following a 1993 study, researchers J. David Cassidy, D.C., Haymo Thiel, D.C., M.S., and W. Kirkaldy-Willis, M.D., of the Back Pain Clinic at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatchewan concluded that "the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disk herniation by side posture manipulation is both safe and effective."
Wight Study on Recurring Headaches
A 1978 study conducted by J.S. Wight, D.C., and reported in the ACA Journal of Chiropractic, indicated that 74.6% of patients with recurring headaches,including migraines, were either cured or experienced reduced headache symptomology after receiving chiropractic manipulation.
1991 Gallup Poll
A 1991 demographic poll conducted by the Gallup Organization revealed that 90% of chiropractic patients felt their treatment was effective; more than 80% were satisfied with that treatment; and nearly 75% felt most of their expectations had been met during their chiropractic visits.
Virginia Comparative Study
A 1992 study conducted by L.G. Schifrin, Ph.D., provided an economist's assessment of mandated health insurance coverage for chiropractic treatment within the Commonwealth of Virginia. As reported by the College of William and Mary, and the Medical College of Virginia, the study indicated that chiropractic provides therapeutic benefits at economical costs. The report also recommended that chiropractic should be a widely available form of health care.
1992 American Health Policy Report
A 1992 review of data from over 2,000,000 users of chiropractic care in the U.S., reported in the Journal of American Health Policy, stated that "chiropractic users tend to have substantially lower health care costs," and "chiropractic care reduces the use of both physician and hospital care."
1985 University of Saskatchewan Study
In 1985 the University of Saskatchewan conducted a study of 283 patients "who had not responded to previous conservative or operative treatment" and who were initially classified as totally disabled. The study revealed that "81% ... became symptom free or achieved a state of mild intermittent pain with no work restrictions" after daily spinal manipulations were administered.
U.S. Government Agency Report
A 1994 study published by the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorses spinal manipulation for acute low back pain in adults in its Clinical Practice Guideline #14. An independent multidisciplinary panel of private-sector clinicians and other experts convened and developed specific statements on appropriate health care of acute low back problems in adults. One statement cited, relief of discomfort (low back pain) can be accomplished most safely with spinal manipulation, and/or nonprescription medication.
Patient Disability Comparison
This study compared patients of family physicians and of chiropractors. The article stated "the number of days of disability for patients seen by family physicians was significantly higher (mean 39.7) than for patients managed by chiropractors (mean 10.8)." A related editorial in the same issue referred to risks of complications from lumbar manipulation as being "very low."
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