Chiropractic care is historically based around the health system of spinal manipulation. Since Chiropractic care is in competition with prescribing medication for the same diagnoses, the AMA has discredited chiropractic, until now.
In 2017, the Journal of the American Medical Association published research supporting the use of spinal manipulation in the treatment of low back pain. The need for this research is long overdue, as 30% of the US population uses chiropractic care and 59% of patients were “highly satisfied” with their chiropractic treatments for low back pain vs 34% of patients who were “highly satisfied” with their primary care physician.
Why the Sudden Change in AMA’s Policies towards Spinal Manipulation?
The research comes now because surgical and pharmacological outcomes for low back pain are not very good. Treating pain with opioids has led to national epidemic of drug addiction and overdose problems. For solution, it is important to check this rehab for alcoholics and drug addicts .The ‘strongest recommendation’ from the 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines from the American College of Physicians is “clinicians and patients should select non-pharmacologic treatment for low back pain with superficial heat, massage, acupuncture, or spinal manipulation.”
This makes sense. Most causes of low back pain are mechanical in nature. Meaning, there is a structural problem causing the pain. A bone out of place, over-stretched ligament, tight muscle, or disc problem. Chemical (pharmacologic) solutions cover up the pain, but don’t change the structure of the body, so they don’t really work.
At Moyer Total Wellness, we utilize evidence-based treatment guidelines for every musculo-skeletal condition. We are able to accurately diagnose most conditions, usually without imaging, and generate the best in-office treatment as well as prescribe home exercises that are shown by research to be the best exercises for that particular diagnosis.
It doesn’t matter if you have a mild annoying elbow discomfort or severe low back pain to the point you can barely walk – we can build a treatment plan for you with the goal of fixing the problem with the least amount of visits with either our chiropractors, massage therapists, or acupuncturist.
The best way to get started at Moyer Total Wellness is to schedule a New Patient Exam with Dr. Moyer. This is a 60 minute appointment that will cover your health history and your health goals. A physical exam will be performed to help make the right diagnosis. Treatments involving lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, and stress reduction will be covered. Exercises are prescribed. You will leave informed of what is causing your symptoms and what treatments will help. Patients leave feeling empowered to take an active role in their health.
Written by: Randy Moyer, DC
Photo by Jairo Alzate on Unsplash