Research helps to explain why Chiropractic is so effective for low-back pain. Using MRI scans, researchers were able to document the immediate effects of a Chiropractic adjustment.
Patients with low-back pain have restricted mobility in the lumbar spine that results in degenerative changes and fibrous adhesions within the joints of the vertebrae.
Researchers hypothesized that Chiropractic adjustments increase gapping between the joints of the vertebrae, which breaks up adhesions and allows the joints to move freely.
In this study, 112 patients with low-back pain were randomly assigned to receive either chiropractic adjustments, side-posture positioning, or two control treatments.
Immediately after the treatment, they received an MRI scan that allowed researchers to analyze spinal gapping.
The Chiropractic patients had the most substantial spinal gapping, and patients treated with a combination of Chiropractic adjustments and side-posture positioning had the greatest reduction in pain.
This study shows that Chiropractic can restore spinal joint range of motion and thus decrease pain and increase flexibility.
