Chiropractic care is not only beneficial to correct long term damage to your health because of stress, poor posture or trauma; it is also real HEALTH CARE. In my opinion, no other health profession can prevent nerve to muscle diseases and disruptions in the body like chiropractic can! 

If you think that only chiropractors realize how beneficial chiropractic care is, here are some examples of research and studies from the medical community.

1. Chiropractors help with Sciatica:  According to a clinical trial in 2014 by the European Spine Journal it uncovered how chiropractic care had a 72% success rate in treating sciatica cases and symptoms similar compared to the 20% success from physical therapy and 50% from corticosteroid injections. 

2. Low Back Pain and Neck Pain: The British Medical Journal published a study performed in 2003. 183 patients with neck pain were randomly treated with manual therapy (chiropractic spinal mobilization), physiotherapy (mainly exercise) or general practitioner care (counseling, education and drugs) in a 52-week study. The clinical outcome measures showed that chiropractic adjustments resulted in faster recovery than physiotherapy and general practitioner care. Moreover, total costs of the chiropractic-treated patients were about one-third of the costs of physiotherapy or general practitioner care. Another study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found patients with chronic low back pain that was treated by chiropractors showed greater improvement including patient satisfaction after one month of care than patients treated by family physicians. 56% of chiropractic patients reported that their low back pain was greatly improved opposed to 13%  of medical patients.  Nearly 1/3 of all medical patients reported that their pain was much worse. NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine funded a study to test the effectiveness of different approaches for treating neck pain.  272 participants were separated into three groups that (A) received either spinal manipulative therapy from chiropractor, (B) receieved pain medication (over-the-counter pain relievers, narcotics and muscle relaxants) or (C) followed exercise recommendations. After 3 months, about 57 % who received chiropractic care and 48% who exercised reported at least a 75% reduction in pain, compared to 33% of the people in the medication group. After one year, approximately 53% of the drug-free groups continued to report at least a 75% reduction in pain, compared to just 38% pain reduction among those who took medication. 

3. Headaches (Tension and Migraine): Headaches are commonly the top 5 reasons why someone seeks out a chiropractor.  There are over 230 peer-reviewed articles showing that chiropractors help stop, and decrease the headache symptoms worldwide. A group trial study found that 22% of people who had chiropractic treatment saw the number of attacks drop by 90%. In that same study, 49% said they had a significant reduction in symptomatic pain. With this and several other studies in mine, it is clear that headache relief for patients should include chiropractic care over the medical field. 

4. Colic and Ear Infections: Scores of case studies have been documented and published showing that children suffering from ear infections (otitis media) acid reflux and colic have had almost complete relief after just a few visits. The reasons for this vary, but one common theme is that nerves controlling the gut and brain are intricately connected to each other and are quite sensitive to neurological insult caused by vertebral subluxations. 

5. Neurological Conditions:  Exciting research is currently being conducted via upright MRI showing how upper cervical adjustments affect various brain-based conditions. Not only are MRI scans revealing that cerebral spinal fluid and blood flow are markedly increased after a chiropractic adjustment, researchers are observing that cerebellar invagination (when the cerebellum drops down below the skull line) is being reversed and brain plaquing (common in multiple sclerosis) is disappearing!  This shows the power of what chiropractors do! Montel Williams (TV host), was interviewed about his experience as a MS patient under chiropractic care. It changed his life and there are numerous videos showing his dramatic results. 

6. Blood Pressure: George Bakris,  who is the world expert on hypertension, published a study in 2007 with researchers in the Human Journal of Hypertension.  They proved that having one upper cervical chiropractic adjustment had the same effect as taking two blood pressure-lowering drugs. Even more fascinating, the effects of just one adjustment lasted more than six months! Compared to the placebo-treated patients, saw an average 14 mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure count) and an average 8 mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom blood pressure number). Other studies have shown similar findings with hypotensive patients, and their low blood pressure was raised to normal levels after chiropractic care. This is exciting because it highlights the body’s ability to create a homeostatic balanced environment once vertebral subluxations are removed. This is what DD Palmer was talking about when chiropractic was discovered in 1895. 

7. Surgery Prevention: Chiropractic is always a good step to take if a patient has been referred for back surgery. Now the Journal of the American Medical Association just published its low back pain guidelines and suggested that people suffering from back pain first try chiropractic before resorting to surgery.  This is not widely known by the public but should be so that many people avoid unnecessary surgery and remain mobile and pain free. 

8. Frozen Shoulder: Clinical trials have been published showing how patients suffering from frozen shoulder responded to chiropractic care. Of the 50 patients: 16 resolved completely; 25 showed 75% to 90% improvement; eight showed 50% to 75% improvement; and one showed 0 percent to 50 percent improvement. 

9. Scoliosis: Chiropractic adjustments for scoliosis coupled with muscular rehabilitation techniques may help prevent the progression of scoliosis. There are several trials out there that show significant improvements in the Cobb x-ray line which shows the angles of scoliosis several years after receiving chiropractic care. 

10. Athletic Performance:  Many athletes like Michael Phelps, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana have been under regular chiropractic care during and after their career.  In fact, over 76% of NFL teams have a chiropractor on staff.  It is now common for most athletic teams to have a chiropractor on hand to help with injuries and rehabilitation.   Studies have shown that chiropractic:

• Reduces inflammatory cytokines
• Boosts your immune system
• Enhances pulmonary function
• Decreases mental and oxidative stress
• Relieves muscle tension
• And can naturally increase your energy level

Studies have even proved, objectively and subjectively, that chiropractic patients experience “overall increased bodily function,” which includes bowl regularity and mental clarity. Basically, because it helps place your body in the position where it can heal itself, chiropractic adjustments can free your immune system up to focus on keeping you healthy, which enhances your ability to think, move and perform. Chiropractic is not just for neck and back pain, treatments can help reduce pain of course, but our work allows your body to use its innate capabilities and heal all on its own!  

Dr. Amie Gregory, DC, CCEP, ANF is a San Francisco, CA and San Carlos, CA chiropractor that understands full body health.  She works with athletes, expectant moms, office workers and everyone else in between.  Contact our San Francisco, CA chiropractic office or San Carlos, CA chiropractic office today!