How Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Works to Ease Your Chronic Pain
If you're living with chronic musculoskeletal pain, you're likely looking at all your options for relief. Chiropractic spinal manipulation has surfaced as a beneficial treatment option, and new research is shedding light on exactly how and why it produces results.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND SPINAL MANIPULATION
Spinal manipulative therapy benefit goes beyond your spine. According to recent research, it activates multiple positive mechanisms throughout your nervous system. (3) When chiropractors direct controlled force to spinal joints, it arouses sensory receptors that shoot signals to your brain, helping to reduce pain perception and boost joint function. The pathways through which spinal manipulation delivers relief are complex and intertwined. Research shows that manipulation can lower muscle tension, improve blood flow, and regulate pain signals traveling through your spinal cord. It also seems to prompt the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in your body, creating a cascade of therapeutic effects that extend beyond the immediate treatment area.
GENTLE ALTERNATIVE: FLEXION-DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE
Not all spinal manipulation involves twisting motions and popping sounds. Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation offers a gentler, non-thrust technique called flexion-distraction (aka Cox® Technic) that utilizes rhythmic movements to decompress spinal joints. Recent ultrasound research has studied how this technique affects the spine via its controlled movement of spinal segments, demonstrating its precision and mechanical spinal effects. (1) (This builds on the foundational study of the biomechanical effects of Cox® Technic.) For patients who prefer a subtler approach or have conditions that make traditional manipulation unsuitable, flexion-distraction as performed at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation offers delivers meaningful pain relief through controlled, comfortable movements.
EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS
Multiple studies champion the use of chiropractic care for chronic musculoskeletal conditions. A comprehensive review published in JBJS Reviews really looked at the evidence base and reported that spinal manipulation exhibits meaningful benefits for many patients dealing from chronic back and neck pain. (2) The research explains that when appropriately applied, chiropractic care can be a helpful part of a comprehensive pain management plan. Another study in the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association explored the underlying mechanisms, discussing how spinal manipulation affects neuroplastic changes—basically helping re-educate how your nervous system processes pain signals over time. (3) The research keeps evolving and gets more interesting all the time!
A SAFE, PATIENT-CENTERED APPROACH
When performed by licensed chiropractors, spinal manipulation has a robust safety profile. The key is working with a qualified practitioner like yours at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation who conducts thorough assessments and develops an individualized chiropractic treatment plan based on your specific condition and needs.
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the process a chiropractic patient can expect to go through with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management toward relief.
If chronic pain is negatively impacting your quality of life in Carrolltown, schedule an appointment with us for chiropractic care that has the strong potential to offer the relief you've been seeking through evidence-based care with us at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation.
