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A recent study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that getting an adjustment by a chiropractor for sub-acute neck pain (pain you've had for more than 2 weeks but less than 3 months) is a better idea than taking pain killers. The same study found that doing home exercises taught by a physical therapist may yield similar results as chiropractic manipulation.
Researchers from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minneapolis divided 272 adults with non-specific neck pain into 3 equal groups. One group received chiropractic treatment for 12 weeks, another saw a PT for home exercises and the third group took pain medicine.
The researchers measured pain levels and functioning abilities in the short (during and right after treatment) and long term (6 months and 1 year) and found spinal manipulation therapy to be superior to taking pain meds at all times. They also found that doing the home exercises was just about as good for the patients as the adjustments. The chiropractic patients expressed more satisfaction with their treatment than did members of the other groups.
My comment: Often risks and side effects of drugs cannot be avoided. It's good to know there's a non-toxic alternative that has proven itself in research.
Source:
Bronfort, G., et. al. "Spinal Manipulation, Medication, or Home Exercise With Advice for Acute and Subacute Neck Pain. A Randomized Trial." Annals of Internal Medicine (volume 156, pages 1-10). Jan 3 2012
Article seems very slanted towards Chiropractic and not balanced by what the findings reported. What about home exercise with advice! Tell us more about that! We are listening… Why was nothing highlighted about neck exercises in the article? “Home exercises just about as good” it said. Isn’t that part of the path of Complementary and Alternative Medicine as well? Adjustments were done for 12 weeks… How many appointments a week? Verses minutes / hours of home exercise / advice. Was that for 12 weeks? I would rather do appropriate exercises at home than spend time at the chiropractic office each week. Write a article about the findings of the Home exercises too!
I’ve had neck problems previously and pain killers didn’t touch the pain. With one visit to a chiropractor, the pain was barely noticeable. A few more and I’m good as new. Pain medication simply masks the problem. At home exercises are always likely to be helpful – I remember a saying that goes.. “you don’t use it, you lose it.”
more information that would be helpful… What was the relative time outlay for the different treatment options. You could include days dedicated to going to the doctors office for return visits. Perhaps the exercise option only took one visit? Details like that could make a significant difference when evaluating the options.
Ive been a massage therapist for 8 yrs and getting chiropractic for regular maintenance for ten yrs. Im a health and wellness educator and provider and it is my duty as such to educate the general public. Im also a pro athlete. Having pain myself I would be worse off if I didnt do self care, home exercise, massage treatments, chiropractic care. Its not one thing that is going to fix aches and pains but doing a number of things in daily life will help you feel alot more amazing. Pain is horrible and affects 8 out of 10 people. It ruins your life causing many problems.
Our excuse is we cant afford it. I think the real question is, “can I afford to be in pain?”
No and you dont deserve to be in pain and its time to stop ignoring it because dis-ease causes disease and no one wants that or can afford that.
It has been proven time and again chiropractic care works to align the spine to create optimal function of the nervous and immune systems. I suggest getting massage before chiropractic. Our muscles move our bones So best to loosen up the muscles first before you go trying to move bones.
Ask around to find a good massage therapist, chiropractor, naturopathic dr, accupuncurist, herbalogist and so on, not everyone is a good fit and if you are scared of chiropractic there are many gentle techniques out there to take away your pain.
We cannot rely on Drs or western medicine to help us with pain.
Do your own research to learn neck and back strengthing exercises. Like having a fitness ball, lie on ur stomach on ball and raise up and down. Back extensions. 20 minimum a day to 3 days a wk min and increase by 5 or 10 as it gets easier.. Or sitting or lying push head back into bed floor or car seat while driving, hold about 5 sec repeat and do about 20 minimum everyday to 3 days.
Meds are toxic and acidic and the more our bodies are acidic the more
health problems occur such as cancer.