Evidence-Based Chiropractic Care… Get Results
By: Dr. Tiffany T. Butler | March 3, 2023 | Read Time: 5 minutes
Whether you believe it or not, chiropractic care is backed by scientific research. In my previous blog, I mentioned that chiropractic care consists of philosophy, science, and art. The science behind chiropractic is what makes chiropractic care a reliable treatment option for neuromusculoskeletal conditions such as muscle strains, ligament sprains, sciatica, disc problems, and more!
The spinal column consists of bones (vertebrae), ligaments, tendons, muscles, and spinal discs (e.g., intervertebral discs). There are 3 joints within the spinal column consists of:
- disc joints (connects the disc to the vertebral bodies)
- facet joints (connects the two vertebral bodies together).
It is within these 3 joints that allow the spinal column performs dynamic movements of flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion (e.g., bending to the left or right).
The spinal joints, like other body joints, have natural joint positioning (e.g., biomechanical position). It is this normal joint positioning that allows the joints to move with little effort and with ease. If there is abnormal joint positioning (e.g., joint malposition) the joints will not move correctly, thus increasing the risk of inflammation and edema collecting in the area.
Abnormal joint positioning can be a result of trauma (e.g., fall or auto accident), injury (e.g., muscle strain), or disease (e.g., degenerative disc disease). Anytime there is an injury to the body, inflammation occurs. Inflammation only causes restriction of joint movement, but it also contains a pro-inflammatory substance such as cytokines, that irritates the spinal nerves and other, soft tissue structures (e.g., ligaments, muscles, tendons, and discs) as well as the pain receptors. This is one reason why the limited range of motion, or joint restriction, can result in the patient experiencing pain with movement. Click here to learn why inflammation of tight muscles and restricted movement leads to pain.
By understanding the science of chiropractic, you will gain useful knowledge on how and why chiropractic adjustment works; and why it is an effective treatment option for alleviating and managing health conditions such as back pain.
Click the links to read about The Philosophy of Chiropractic and The Art of Chiropractic.
Dr. Tiffany T. Butler (aka “The Pain Doctor”) is a chiropractor, author, and entrepreneur. She leads Harmonious Living Chiropractic: Fitness & Wellness Center, a pain management practice, in offering healthcare solutions that focus on patient-centered care. Her team consists of individuals who are passionate about improving patient outcomes by providing chiropractic care, in conjunction with therapeutic procedures. Their services have helped hundreds of people find pain relief and improved their quality of life. To learn more about Dr. Butler visit https://www.drtiffanybutler.com/dr-butler/ Connect with Dr. Butler on social media #drtiffanybutler
