SPINAL MANIPULATION
WHAT IS SPINAL MANIPULATION?
- Spinal manipulation is also called spinal manipulative therapy. It’s a technique where practitioners use their hands or a device to apply a controlled thrust (that is, a force of a specific magnitude or degree in a specific direction) to a joint of your spine. The amount of force can vary, but the thrust moves the joint more than it would on its own. Spinal manipulation is different from spinal mobilization, which doesn’t involve a thrust (and is performed within a joint’s natural range of motion and can be controlled by the patient).
- Most spinal manipulations are done by chiropractors (chiropractic treatment often involves spinal manipulation), although other licensed professionals including osteopathic physicians and physical therapists also do spinal manipulation.
BENEFITS OF SPINAL MANIPULATION
Spinal manipulation is used as a treatment for:
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Chronic migraines
- Chronic pain (especially back pain)
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
Spinal manipulation’s benefits also include:
- Avoiding surgery because spinal manipulation is non-invasive it can prevent you from having to undergo surgery.
- Reduced drug dependence spinal manipulation does not use pharmaceuticals to manage pain.
- Improved range of motion – spinal manipulation increases flexibility thereby increasing the patient’s range of motion.
A variety of health care providers, including physicians, physical therapists, osteopathic physicians, and chiropractors, offer spinal manipulation in their practices. It is advocated as a means of reducing pain in the spine (and other joints) and increasing range of motion. It is thought that manipulation resets the position of the spinal cord and nerves, allowing the nervous system to function optimally and improve the body’s biomechanical functioning. A variety of health care providers, including physicians, physical therapists, osteopathic physicians, and chiropractors, offer spinal manipulation in their practices. It is advocated as a means of reducing pain in the spine (and other joints) and increasing range of motion. It is thought that manipulation resets the position of the spinal cord and nerves, allowing the nervous system to function optimally and improve the body’s biomechanical functioning.