April 2024 Health Newsletter

For those individuals grappling with chronic back or neck pain, finding effective relief can be a daunting challenge. In the pursuit of alleviating discomfort and improving quality of life, chiropractic care should be at the top of the list. But what does the evidence say about its efficacy? Let's briefly review just some of the research to understand the role of chiropractic care in addressing musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain and neck pain.

Chiropractic care is founded on the principle that proper alignment of the spine is essential for overall health and well-being. Practitioners, known as doctors of chiropractic (DCs) or chiropractors, employ hands-on spinal manipulation and other manual techniques to adjust vertebral misalignments (subluxations) and restore proper function to the musculoskeletal system. While chiropractic treatment has been traditionally sought for back and neck pain relief, its effectiveness has been the subject of numerous studies and clinical trials.

One of the most comprehensive reviews of chiropractic care for back pain was conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality ("Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). (2017"). Noninvasive treatments for low back pain.). Their analysis of available evidence concluded that spinal manipulation—the primary treatment modality in chiropractic care—was effective in reducing acute low back pain and improving function. Additionally, the AHRQ found that chiropractic care was associated with fewer adverse effects compared to other treatments such as medication or surgery.

Furthermore, research published in reputable medical journals supports the efficacy of chiropractic care for both acute and chronic back pain. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that patients with chronic low back pain who received chiropractic spinal manipulation experienced greater pain relief and functional improvement compared to those who received standard medical care.

Similarly, chiropractic care has shown effective in managing neck pain, which often stems from poor posture, muscle strain, or cervical spine misalignments. A systematic review published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics concluded that spinal manipulation performed by chiropractors was effective in reducing neck pain intensity and improving function. Moreover, a randomized controlled trial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine ("Annals of Internal Medicine, 156(1_Part_1), 1-10.") found that spinal manipulation combined with exercise was more effective in reducing neck pain than medication alone.

For those considering chiropractic care for back or neck pain relief, the evidence supporting its effectiveness is substantial and continues to grow. From reducing pain intensity to improving function and overall quality of life, chiropractic treatment offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach to managing back and neck pain and dysfunction as well as many other musculoskeletal conditions. By staying informed and seeking care from reputable chiropractic practitioners, prospective patients can take proactive steps towards finding lasting relief.


Living with chronic low back pain is no way to live. Everything from exercise to simply sitting down can be extremely painful. Many people with low back problems need to significantly change their daily routines to avoid the excruciating pain common movements can cause. One of the main ways a chiropractor can help with this kind of discomfort is through SMT (Spinal Manipulative Therapy). A recent JAMA study has shed light on why this method is so helpful and how the chiropractic community is taking steps to ensure the best possible care for their patients.

An Alternative to Evasive Surgeries and Prescription Drugs

There are a number of reasons this review is extremely exciting, not the least of which is that SMT could be a reliable alternative to back surgeries and/or the use of drug therapy to help cope with the pain. In fact, the American College of Physicians recently released new guidelines for low back pain treatment, which makes the same recommendation. The ACA (American Chiropractic Association) was quick to formally approve a resolution to adopt these new standards, along with chiropractic-specific practices from the Clinical Compass. One reason the ACA gave for their decision was our country’s current opioid crisis. President David Herd, DC, cited the risk of dependency as playing a role in these new guidelines. 

Toward a Greater Consensus Regarding Chiropractic Care

Another benefit of these recent studies that Dr. Herd mentioned in his statement was how adopting these guidelines will help grow a greater consensus amongst:

• Chiropractors
• Patients
• Other Health Care Providers
• Policy Makers
• Insurance Companies
  

This would include methods for pain treatment, as well as management and co-management solutions.

Are You Struggling Because of Low Back Pain?

No one should have to limit their lives because of chronic low back pain. According to a Gallup survey from 2016, more than 35 million Americans sought pain relief from a chiropractor over the course of the prior year. That’s 25% of the population. Over the course of their entire lifetimes, 65% of us will seek professional care because of neck or back pain. If you’re one of the millions of people who are having a hard time getting through the day because of their low back issues, make an appointment with your local chiropractor right away. You could already feel a major difference after just one visit without having to undergo major surgery or take a prescription medication.

If you are in chronic pain from back problems, you may be tempted to try anything to keep the hurt at bay. This might include taking addictive opioid pain killers or analgesics that have negative side effects.  These prescription drugs can cause "adverse drug events," which refer to any sort of injury or side effect caused by a medication.  Even scarier, the mortality rate from adverse drug events has been rising dramatically.  No one wants to die from a pain pill or end up addicted to it.   The Good News: Adverse Drug Events Can Be Avoided The next time you are tempted to just medicate your back pain away, contact your chiropractor.  By getting comprehensive chiropractic care, you may be able to reduce or completely eliminate your dependence on prescription pain medication.  In fact, it's been proven to work.  One recent study showed that chiropractic patients had a 51% reduced likelihood of adverse drug events within 12 months compared to nonrecipients.  Comprehensive chiropractic care for back pain can include spinal manipulation and adjustments, pain relieving exercises, and other wellness protocols that are safe, non-invasive, and don’t have those pesky and often dangerous side effects of drugs.  Reduce Pain with Chiropractic Care Today There is no need to risk adverse drug events when there is a safer option with chiropractic care. Contact us today for a consultation!

The government wants to start encouraging more people to take their bike to work. No, this isn’t in response to efforts to halt the progression of global climate change and to save the environment. The reason the government is promoting this is because of the awesome health benefits. According to recent studies, riding to work can reduce a person’s chances of:

• Developing cancer
• Dying prematurely
• Being diagnosed with heart disease
  

The numbers are quite astonishing. According to the UK’s Telegraph, the risk of premature death fell by 41% among those who regularly rode to work. Forbes reports that the study was done at the University of Glasgow, where they evaluated the health of over 260,000 people during a five year period. Those who cycled to work had a:

• 46% lower risk of developing heart disease
• 52% lower risk of dying from heart disease
• 45% lower risk of developing cancer
• 40% lower risk of dying from cancer
  

Since cancer and heart disease are the leading causes of death in many countries – including the U.S. – it stands to reason that people would do anything they can to reduce their risks. Now they have proof that something as simple as cycling to work can lower the risk significantly. Why not give it a try for yourself? Start out slow – replacing your car with your bike as your mode of transport one day a week, then two, then three, and so on. With results like these, you’ll be happy you did!