A recent study determined that Chiropractic has been proven superior in helping patients overcome back pain when compared to Tylenol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), and opioid drugs. The research spotlights the complexity of back pain and the vast number of affected people. Over 80% of people experience back pain at some point in their life, with hundreds of millions suffering daily. Most back-pain sufferers receive a recommendation to ingest over-the-counter or prescription pills to relieve the pain. Chiropractic offers a scientifically proven alternative which addresses the underlying cause of back pain rather than focusing on masking symptoms with dangerous medications.

The most commonly recommended drugs consumed by back pain sufferers consist of Tylenol (acetaminophen), NSAIDs, and opioids. These categories of drugs come with the risk of harm and adverse events.

Tylenol (Acetaminophen) Long thought to be safe and the most widely used non-opioid pain killer in the world, acetaminophen was recently reported to be associated with significant toxic effects including hepatic and renal disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and high blood pressure (particularly at higher doses). 

NSAIDs (Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Celebrex, Aleve, etc.) Doctors most commonly prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for older adults with chronic non-cancer pain. NSAID drugs carry increased risk of gastrointestinal reactions and a one hundred percent increased risk of heart failure. Patients using NSAIDs endure an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. 

Opioids

Adverse effects of opioid therapy include depression, sexual dysfunction, myocardial infarction, addiction, and increased risk of death due to overdose. The alarmingly high risk of adverse drug effects due to opioids continues to rapidly escalate. Opioid use and abuse created a worldwide epidemic due to the destruction and devastation inflicted on users and their families. The rate of death from opioids involved overdoses increased by 200% since 2000.

Better education and distribution of facts serves to benefit society on an individual basis. 59% of American adults who ingest prescription opioids suffer from back pain. Alternative solutions exist for back pain sufferers. A 2018 study determined that Chiropractic based solutions and strategies for back pain lowered the risk of adverse drug events by 51%. Chiropractic care provided healing and relief which allowed patients to use lower or less frequent doses of pain medications. Patients experienced reduced risks of NSAID drug-induced bleeding, opioid overdoses, and other adverse drug events.

Nearly 80% of adults reported that they prefer non-pharmacological care over the use of drugs for the treatment of pain. Too many people have witnessed or learned of the devastation inflicted by someone’s dependency on a drug regimen which never provides a permanent healing solution. A growing population of adults adamantly wants nondrug strategies to pain relief. Chiropractic continues to play an increased and important role in healthcare. Availability and increased utilization of Chiropractic promotes a reduction in both drug prescriptions and the risk of adverse drug reactions. An increased understanding of the scientifically proven benefits of Chiropractic care serves to benefit the health care options available to those wanting to trade a pharmaceutical solution for better healing and a brighter future.

Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapies, June 2018
"Association Between Utilization of Chiropractic Services for Treatment of Low Low Back Pain and Risk of Adverse Drug Events."
JM Whedon, AWJ Toler, JM Goehl, LA Kazal

The most important improvements from a Chiropractic adjustment occur in the brain and nervous system. The latest research on headaches and depression reports that, “autonomic dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis of tension-type headaches and depressive disorders.” The research indicates why so many people suffering from headaches find relief through Chiropractic adjustments. The research also indicates that people coping with depression often turn to Chiropractic for long term relief and resolve which cannot be provided by drugs and prescriptions.

Chiropractic care focuses on the spine and nervous system. Scientific evidence proves that small misalignments of spinal vertebrae coupled with altered mobility create stress in the nervous system. The nervous system stress, also referred to as autonomic dysfunction, increases stress hormones in the blood and body. A sustained increase in stress hormones creates an environment for symptoms such as headaches, pain, and even depression. The most powerful medications in the world do not relieve the nervous system stress that underlies the cause of many of the unwanted symptoms associated with headaches and depressed mood disorders. Chiropractors do not pursue the resolution of a specific disorder through an adjustment. Chiropractors assess, locate, and adjust areas of nervous system stress and misalignment. The outcome focuses on restoring normal function and tone in the brain and nervous system to provide a powerful environment of healing and wellness. Allowing the body to function and heal at optimal levels often leads to the resolution of symptoms ranging from headaches and pain to organ function and even depressive-type conditions.

An estimated 80%-90% percent of the population will suffer from headaches at some point. Approximately 15% of people experience a headache at any given time. Headaches, mental health, and many other conditions benefit from spinal adjustments all over the world. Drug therapy serves as the most prescribed form of relief from headaches, but people deserve to know, understand, and experience the benefits of Chiropractic care. The medical community often prescribes powerful drugs with dangerous side effects which offer no permanent solution to these conditions. Chiropractic care focuses on long-term and permanent healing.

Research from June of 2018 showed Chiropractic adjustments helped with chronic headaches of more than two years in duration by reducing stress in the autonomic nervous system. Headache relief also accompanied reduced feelings of sadness and decreased bouts of extremely low moods. Participants also reported a decrease in thoughts of death and suicide. Many study participants previously sought relief through physical therapy, acupuncture, traditional Chinese therapy, and even six-month regimens of various drug treatments. Results of previous interventions yielded little to no benefits. The study concluded after six months of Chiropractic care which focused on restoring function and healing. All participants reported a decreased or absent presence of headache pain and depressive-type symptoms as well as the reduction or elimination of medication use. 

The benefits of removing interference from the nervous system through gentle and precise adjustments to the spine often result in a reduction or elimination of symptoms. The body possesses powerful innate intelligence that always strives for adaptation and balance. The majority of unwelcome symptoms occur due to interference in the body. A significant form of interference in the nervous system comes from spinal bones being misaligned or not moving appropriately. This interference (called subluxation) occurs in much of the population due to stress. People routinely care for their cardiovascular system, digestive system, and immune system but overlook the need for routine nervous system care and maintenance. The irony being that the nervous system regulates the health of all other systems. Every adult and child deserve a health care plan involving nervous system care.

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, May-June 2018
"Long-term relief from tension-type headache and major depression following chiropractic treatment."
Eric Chun Pu Chu, Michelle NG

The pain and suffering experienced by military men and women all over the world escalated to epidemic proportions long ago. The rigors of training, the physical demands of duty, and the unique levels of stress experienced by most military men and women increase the likelihood of pain and other health challenges. No other profession deserves adequate attention and care for their health and bodies like the men and women of the military. Unfortunately, care for veterans ranks as mediocre at best and leaves most members of the armed forces underserved or dependent on drugs manufactured to mask pain and the underlying sources of pain and dysfunction.

New research shows revolutionary evidence which supports the need for veterans to have greater access to Chiropractic care. Veterans comprise one of the largest populations of people who seek relief from physical and emotional pain. The current care model prescribes powerful medications to the majority of military veterans who seek care for physical or emotional pain. When less potent medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) fail to resolve the pain, medical professionals prescribe more addictive and potent drugs like opioids. A vast number of these veterans do not find relief from NSAIDs and begin an undesirable and harmful path that too often becomes the norm. Veterans exist as one of the most prevalent populations to be prescribed opioids at unprecedented levels.

Research published in the Journal of Pain Medicine provides promising evidence for veterans and their families. The study showed that veterans of recent wars who received Chiropractic care consumed fewer opioids than those who were not receiving Chiropractic adjustments. Nearly one-third of veterans in the study who received Chiropractic services from Veterans Affairs also received an opioid prescription. Yet the significance of the study revealed the frequency of opioid prescriptions became lower after the veterans began utilizing Chiropractic. The military personnel being prescribed opioids began to reduce their consumption after they began receiving Chiropractic care.

Chiropractic does not seek to treat ailments, back pain, neck pain, or conditions. Chiropractors focus on restoring the relationship between the spine and the central nervous system by specifically assessing and gently adjusting areas of stress and dysfunction in the spine. Because of the intimate connection between the spine and the nervous system, many unwanted symptoms, pain, and conditions improve through better nervous system balance. Chiropractic care provides a unique advantage for veterans seeking help with pain, stress, and dysfunction without the use of more drugs or surgery. This study provides further evidence that military veterans represent another populace that deserves the benefits of Chiropractic as part of their health care plan. Long-term health and healing do not involve a relationship with opioids and pain medications. Military personnel deserve the freedom to live an active life full of potential. That journey begins with Chiropractic.

Pain Medical September 1, 2018
"Opioid Use Among Veterans of Recent Wars Receiving Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Care."
AJ Lisi, KL Corcoran, EC DeRycke, LA Bastian, WC Becker, SN Edmond, CM Goertz, JL Goulet, SG Haskell, DM Higgins, T Kawecki, RD Kerns, K Mattocks

Elite and amateur runners consistently seek tools, strategies, and resources which deliver a competitive advantage on the track or running course. Chiropractic spinal adjustments provide a unique advantage to runners that augment their benefits from food, supplements, specific training protocols, and other manual care. All recreational and competitive runners deserve to experience how Chiropractic care maximizes training, performance, and recovery. 

New research helps explain why Chiropractic uniquely benefits short and long-distance runners. Research published in January of 2018 proved that a single spinal adjustment increased muscle strength and corticospinal excitability to muscles in elite athletes. The increased muscle force and the increased corticospinal excitability helped athletes gain an edge over their competitors. Utilizing Chiropractic spinal adjustments as part of training also enabled athletes to train harder and with greater strength and precision.

Chiropractic care helps runners in a multitude of ways. The component that the majority of athletes and coaches understand involves the improvement of motion and biomechanics. Chiropractic adjustments improve motion in the spine and joints, increasing the ease of movement and efficiency of body biomechanics. Greater mobility and range of motion minimizes the risk of injury within the muscles, ligaments, and tendons during training and on race day. Chiropractic also improves postural and spinal alignment. The improvement of alignment minimizes unnecessary wear and tear on joints like good axel alignment on a car. Research also indicated that Chiropractic care maximizes muscle strength and corticospinal excitability. This means that an adjustment improves the amount of electrical activity from the brain to the body by improving alignment and movement of the spine. The increased electrical activity produces greater strength in the muscles of the leg.

The spine maintains an intimate relationship with the brain and central nervous system. Proper alignment and movement help maximize the function of the spine and nervous system. The rigorous training involved with daily running creates a need for routine nervous system maintenance. Wear and tear on the spine and body biomechanics from hitting the pavement necessitate proper care for the spine and posture.

The most foundational aspect of training involves the body’s ability to continually work, recover, and improve on the previous day, week, and month. Passionate runners deserve every opportunity to maximize training and recovery while limiting the risk of injury. Healing and repair between long runs or short bouts of intense training require the body to be functioning at optimal levels. Key components like nutrition, sleep, and running biomechanics become more enhanced and productive when combined with Chiropractic. Running for recreation or competition become metaphors for longevity and endurance on both the track and in real life. Chiropractic offers the opportunity to not only perform at peak levels but also maintain a long-term lifestyle that allows runners to maintain their passion and their health into advanced age. Whether training for a race or for the long-term life experience, Chiropractic helps finish the race well.

European Journal of Applied Physiology April 2018
"The effects of a single session of spinal manipulation on strength and cortical drive in athletes."
TL Christiansen, IK Niazi, K Holt, RW Nedergaard, J Duehr, K Allen, P Marshall, KS Turker, J Hartvigsen, H Haavik

Neck pain causes a major public health concern. Studies estimate that over half of all people will experience an episode of neck pain at some point in their lifetime. Most neck pain sufferers will rely on symptom-numbing medications for relief. Long-term concern radiates from the fact that medications simply cut off the pain signal temporarily. The body’s pain receptors become numbed while never addressing the cause of the pain. Symptoms usually become worse and dependency on medication becomes more prevalent. The key to achieving short- and long-term results that last begins with addressing the underlying cause of pain. The type of provider first chosen for the alleviation of neck pain symptoms turns out to be the most important decision in achieving successful long-term pain relief. 

Recent research shows that Chiropractic provides superior results when compared to other forms of treatment for neck pain. Chiropractic care produced the best outcomes in several categories, including the lowest rate of opioid prescriptions, the lowest use of advanced imaging, the lowest referrals for injections, and the lowest surgery rate. In fact, the number of surgeries needed for those who utilized chiropractic care was zero. Chiropractic provides an important whole-body health-improving intervention for those with neck pain. Many people do not get the opportunity to hear about the benefits of Chiropractic due to the mass marketing and prescription of pharmaceutical drugs touted as the standard of care. Chiropractic not only improves neck pain outcomes for those suffering but also generates a host of added benefits through the scientific application of the adjustment. 

The success of Chiropractic begins with the purpose and intentionality of nervous system care. Chiropractic does not simply focus on pain relief or symptom reduction. Chiropractic focuses primarily on achieving greater levels of health in the nervous system by improving the alignment and movement of the spine. The unique relationship between the spine and central nervous system allows Chiropractic care to facilitate healing and alleviation of many unwanted symptoms and conditions. Chiropractors focus on improving spinal alignment and mobility, allowing the nervous system to more clearly communicate with the rest of the body. Research over the last three decades continues to show evidence supporting the history of Chiropractic care and the results seen in clinics all over the world. Pain reduction proves to be just one of the many benefits achieved through the influence of a Chiropractic adjustment. Other functions proven to be influenced by a Chiropractic adjustment include improved breathing, better sleep, stronger immunity, increased mobility, better heart function, and many more.

Neck pain signals an indication that an underlying cause exists in the spine that must be addressed. Pain medications receive publicity and represent the most popular form of treatment for people experiencing neck pain. Pain medications never get to the cause of the problem. Chiropractors look at the structure and mobility of the neck and its potential role in pain and other body function problems. Research shows that one of the best approaches to improving neck discomfort begins with an evaluation by a Doctor of Chiropractic in order to address the source of the pain. More and more people make their healthcare decisions based on the amount of evidence and research behind each intervention. Overwhelming evidence proves that Chiropractic achieves unique results unparalleled by other healthcare options. Research continues to validate the value and benefits of Chiropractic care for all ages.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes December 2017
"Influence of Initial Provider on Health Care Utilization in Patients Seeking Care for Neck Pain."
M Horn, S George, J Fritz

Headaches pester and annoy tens of millions of people every day. Migraine sufferers experience the most excruciating pain and discomfort imaginable. Millions of these attacks impact people with severe headaches that last for hours or days accompanied by nausea, vomiting, flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, and sensitivity to light and sound. More than 90% of migraine sufferers cannot work or function normally during an episode. 

The Migraine Research Foundation details the following statistics: • Migraines create the third most prevalent illness in the world. • Nearly one in four U.S. households includes someone suffering from migraines. • 18% of American women, 6% of men, and 10% of children experience migraines. • 85% of migraines impact women • Healthcare and lost productivity costs associated with migraines reach as high as $36 billion/year in the United States. • Healthcare costs 70% more for families with migraines sufferers • Migraines exist in children as young as 18 months. Infant colic was found to be associated with childhood migraine and may even be an early form of migraine. • Migraines tend to be biological. Approximately 90% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraines. A child with one parent suffering migraines has a 50% chance of inheriting the affliction and a 75% chance if both parents experience migraines.

Drug-free solutions that honor the body prove to be a true remedy for such a powerful ailment. More and more people turn to Chiropractic as a non-medicinal solution with benefits that include focusing on healing the body rather than simply medicating the symptoms. Research published in 2015 revealed that manual care for the spine proved to be a superior solution for migraines compared to treatments only utilizing medication. Medical doctors quickly prescribe drugs for migraine sufferers without awareness or exploration of the published research revealing other safer and more effective solutions.

The 2015 research showed that subjects receiving upper cervical manual care reduced their drug consumption by 80% while migraine days reduced by 97%. Pain and functional disability associated with migraines resolved by nearly 100%. Manual care reduced the quality of migraine pain better than both drugs and other unproven treatments while measurably improving quality of life for migraine sufferers.

Extensive dangers and side effects that accompany migraine medications demand attention and alternate solutions. Adults and children alike deserve a better option than a medicinal solution that creates more problematic conditions. Spinal adjustments given by Chiropractors reduce interference in the nervous system by improving vertebral alignment and movement. Spinal adjustments initiate changes in the brain and nervous system that result in greater function and less stress. Less stress in the nervous system correlates with less migraine episodes and reduced pain severity. The search for drugless solutions to migraines begins with the benefits of Chiropractic care.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine April 2015;(2):149-56 Epub January 21 2015
“Clinical effectiveness of osteopathic treatment in chronic migraine: 3-Armed randomized controlled trial.” F Cerritelli, L Ginevri, G Messi, E Caprari, M Di Vincenzo, C Renzetti, V Cozzolino, G Barlafante, N Foschi, L Provinciali

Some of the strongest and most sturdy structures in the world contain arcs. Buildings, bridges, and doorways often include arches in order to sustain the forces continually acting upon them. The longevity of these structures, both new and historic, depend on sustaining the design for hundreds of years. Structures tend to maintain their strength and resilience until the first signs surface that one of the arches began to weaken.

The model reflects human biomechanics. The most important structures in the body contain arcs. The human spine comprises the most importance arches of all. The spine requires three important curves (as viewed from the side) for optimal health. The curvatures make the spine stronger and more durable. Losing curves in the spine alters function in the body and predisposes the bones and discs to unnecessary wear and tear.

Loss of spinal curves usually occurs slowly over years or decades due to poor posture and ergonomics. Spinal curves also reduced due to trauma such as whiplash or other forms of natural or unnatural impact. Abnormal spinal curves create cosmetic changes which affect appearance and posture but the most harmful result of losing curvature degrees comes from the damage done to nerve and blood flow. Loss of neck curve alone associates with decreased vertebral artery hemodynamics. This means a loss of appropriate neck curve reduces blood flow to specific parts of the brain and body.

Patients entering Chiropractic or medical offices with a loss of neck curve experience greater risk for increased spinal cord and nerve tension, pain, disability, poor health, and lowered quality-of-life. The increased stress points stemming from a reduced spinal curvature lead to increased vertebral stress, providing the basis for vertebral compression, osteoarthritis, and even bone spur formation. The muscles and soft tissue which supports the neck must work harder to compensate for biomechanical instability. Soft tissue weakness and damage eventually begin to materialize and amplify the original problem.

Chiropractors pay close attention to the health of spinal curves by evaluating the structure and range of motion of the spine. X-rays prove valuable in locating trouble spots and assessing the need for care. Most Chiropractors specialize in evaluating and correcting spinal curvature and motion to restore proper nerve and blood flow. Clinical trials show that correction of the cervical curve improves a vast array of symptoms and conditions. A 2019 study utilized Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA) to measure cerebral blood flow before and after taking steps to improve the neck curve. Decreased neck curvature also reflected decreased blood flow on MRA reports. Correction of the neck curve resulted in an immediate and significant increase in the amount of cerebral blood flowing to and from the brain. The results proved consistent with the notion that biomechanics influence physiology.

Scientific evidence continues to emphasize the value of Chiropractic care for those with or without the manifestation of negative health symptoms. Proactive care for the spine and nervous system prove essential to long term health care. The curves in the spine play an important role in spinal health, spinal longevity, and whole-body health. Every spine in every person deserves the care and attention needed for a vibrant future full of life and health.

Brain Circulation 2019
"Increase in cerebral blood flow indicated by increased cerebral arterial area and pixel intensity on brain magnetic resonance angiogram following correction of cervical lordosis."
E Katz, S Katz, C Fedorchuk, D Lightstone, C Banach, J Podol