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On record, over 70 million adults in the United States struggle with pain. A recent study published in the journal Healthcare found that low back pain is the second most typical reason Americans consult their doctor.
Many people are interested in seeking alternatives to conventional treatments for pain. However, chiropractic treatment is an essential alternative to pain management, especially when dealing with neck or back pain.
This article will discuss the top five benefits of upper cervical chiropractic care.
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Definition of chiropractic care
Chiropractic care is an aspect of complementary medicine based on the idea that the body has self-healing capabilities. The proponents of chiropractic care believe that the body can heal itself with unique hands-on manipulations by a trained professional. These manipulations help to realign your joints and ultimately relieve your pain.
Chiropractic treatment can treat pain arising from conditions that affect the following parts of the body:
- Connective tissue
2. Cartilage
3. Bones
4. Muscles
5. Joints
Chiropractic treatment focuses majorly on the spine but may also impact other body parts depending on the condition being treated.
Chiropractic treatment is similar to physical therapy, and some conditions may be effectively treated with both types of therapy.
The thing is — most chiropractors apply hands-on manipulations to ease your symptoms. On the other hand, physical therapists focus more on rehabilitating your injuries with exercises and stretches.
The benefits of chiropractic care
1. Upper Cervical Chiropractic care can help neck pain
Neck pain is prevalent, especially among people who sit for extended periods daily. It is also common among those with poor posture or bending their neck when using their phone.
An upper cervical chiropractor can ease the pain in your neck by specifically realigning the bones in the upper spine and relaxing the tension in your neck muscles without ever cracking or popping the neck.
A 2012 study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found that spinal manipulation done for 12 weeks was more effective than conventional medication in treating non-specific pain in over 272 patients.
Another study published in the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy found that cervical spine manipulation modified levels of neuropeptide in the blood, thus decreasing neck pain in the short term. It is important to note that neuropeptides are nervous system proteins that act as hormones or neurotransmitters.
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2. Upper Cervical Chiropractic care reduces your dependence on opioid medications
Most patients with chronic pain often receive opioid prescriptions to ease their discomfort. Opioid medications function as pain relievers. However, with chiropractic care, you may not need so many of these pain relievers.
A 2020 study published in the journal Pain Medicine compared the dosage of opioid painkillers prescribed for adults who consulted an upper cervical chiropractor and adults who consulted a conventional medical doctor for the treatment of their spinal pain.
The study showed that adults who went to an upper cervical chiropractor got a minor opioid prescription for their pain more than those who consulted a conventional medical practitioner.
3. Upper Cervical Chiropractic adjustments ease back pain
It is worth mentioning that upper cervical chiropractic care may be a better alternative to invasive forms of treatment like injections or surgery for acute or chronic back pain.
The American College of Physicians published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that doctors should encourage non-medication treatment by people suffering from chronic low back pain before switching to medication to treat their pain. The recommended treatment options include:
· Exercise
· Spinal manipulation
· Acupuncture
· Tai chi
· Meditation
· Yoga
· Progressive muscle relaxation
A review of studies published in JAMA found that spinal manipulation improved short-term back pain compared to a 6-week placebo treatment.
A patient is having a complimentary consultation with Dr. Brett Berner.
4. It eases symptoms of headache
Upper Cervical chiropractic adjustments treat tension headaches and headaches originating in your neck.
2016 research published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that a minimum of 6 sessions of the upper thoracic spine and cervical manipulation was effective in relieving pain in patients with chronic headaches.
5. Chiropractic care is more affordable
Chiropractic treatment may be cheaper than conventional treatment for chronic low back pain.
In a 2016 study, researchers looked at the potential financial benefits of chiropractic treatment for Medicare recipients with chronic back pain.
The researchers found that people who received chiropractic treatment had a lower overall cost. The study also determined that their treatment duration was shorter than those who had conventional medical treatment.
What kind of training do chiropractors receive?
All chiropractors earn a postgraduate degree titled Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). It takes four years of study to earn this degree. Admission to the program requires undergraduate coursework running into 90 semester hours. Some programs may require a bachelor’s degree.
All chiropractors have to be licensed. The licensing requirement varies depending on the state, but all states require the chiropractor to pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exams.
Takeaway
Traditional Chiropractors use general manipulation to temporarily reduce pain, improve the range of motion, and reduce muscle spasms. This falls under band-aid care or symptom management.
Upper Cervical chiropractors look at the spine differently as they have different goals vs. traditional chiropractors. The main objective is to correct the primary condition or the root cause of the underlying health condition. Specific x-rays are taken before and after the monitor progress and objectively check structural changes.
Research has found that upper cervical chiropractic adjustments may effectively treat various neck or back pain forms without twisting, cracking, or popping the neck. Seeing an upper cervical chiropractor may also lower your need to take pain relievers or undergo more invasive treatments like surgery.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions. If you’d like to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call or text our office at 813–578–5889 to schedule a complimentary consultation or book online here.
Disclaimer: Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Correction to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this article or others.
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