All chiropractors, whatever their theory of the source of pain—subluxation (dislocation of joint), nerve, or bone-based—use spinal adjustments in their pain treatment. When injury affects the nerve roots, irritation in the nervous system results in chronic pain, which chiropractic can effectively treat.  Treatment is achieved when normal functions of joints, muscles, and blood vessels are restored, eliminating the cause of chronic pain.

Reputable chiropractors in Rocklin, CA, such as New Life Chiropractic, and chiropractors elsewhere, are trained in trigger point therapies, where manipulation of a hyper-irritable point in the muscles – will replicate the pain pattern, but on continued manipulation, will reduce and resolve the pain. Chiropractors also prescribe a regimen of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements.

Sources of Chronic Pain

Common sources of chronic pain include discomfort from long-term disease, injuries affecting the nervous system, and injuries that haven’t completely healed. Phantom leg syndrome is psychogenic chronic pain that can be particularly enervating, but can be resolved by chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic Treatment vs. Medications for Chronic Pain

The Annals of Internal Medicine published a new research that revealed how chiropractic care or simple exercises seemed more effective at mitigating pain than taking medications like aspirin, ibuprofen or narcotics. This study involved one group that was assigned to go for 20-minute chiropractic session for 15 visits; the second group, at varying degrees, were asked to take pain relievers like acetaminophen, and at times, at the discretion of a doctor, take stronger drugs like narcotics and muscle relaxants.

The third group met with physical therapists who instructed them to do simple, gentle exercises for the neck that they could do at home—5 to 10 repetitions of each exercise up to eight times a day. Anahad O’Connor writes in his blog for the New York Times:

After 12 weeks, the people in the non-medication groups did significantly better than those taking the drugs. About 57 percent of those who met with chiropractors and 48 percent who did the exercises reported at least a 75 percent reduction in pain, compared to 33 percent of the people in the medication group.

A year later, when the researchers checked back in, 53 percent of the subjects who had received spinal manipulation still reported at least a 75 percent reduction in pain, similar to the exercise group. That compared to just a 38 percent pain reduction among those who had been taking medication.

Patients who suffer chronic pain may eventually prefer the low-risk approach to their treatment where no side effects from continued drug use are experienced. For long-term pain management, any chiropractor in Roseville, CA, as with established chiropractors everywhere, offers a unique, body-harmonizing, and drug-free solution for the elimination of abiding, persistent, and recurrent pain.

(SOURCE: For Neck Pain, Chiropractic and Exercise Are Better Than Drugs, January 13, 2012, thenewyorktimes.com)