Spinal ManipulationAlbany, OR
Spinal manipulation refers to manually applying force on the spine joints to relieve joint pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve function. Spinal manipulation is commonly included in chiropractic methodologies as well as in physical therapy and osteopathy. When performed by a professional, it can help relieve pain and improve several disease states and conditions.
Spinal manipulation is available at Better Pain Solutions in Albany and the surrounding area. Our team offers a range of chiropractic or osteopathic procedures, like spinal manipulation. Call us at (541) 249-7317 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Spinal Manipulation
Spinal manipulation, or spinal manipulative therapy, is a technique that uses controlled thrusts or jolts to move and align the joints in the spine. Movement gets performed within a joint’s natural range of motion. The goal is to relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function.
Forms of spinal manipulation have been used therapeutically for thousands of years in both Western and Asian medicine. It has been described in writings found in China in 2700 BC, and Hippocrates (the “Father of Medicine”) wrote about manipulating the spine and legs in Greece in 1500 BC.
Modern spinal manipulation methods were born in 19th century America, following theories that displaced bones and muscles interfered with the body’s circulatory and nervous systems, blocking its ability to heal itself. These theories evolved into the fields of osteopathy and chiropractic medicine.
“Forms of spinal manipulation have been used therapeutically for thousands of years in both Western and Asian medicine.”
Spinal Manipulation Indications
Spinal manipulation is most often indicated to treat various pain conditions, including sciatica, lower back pain, neck pain, and headache. However, people seek spinal manipulation treatments to relieve pain as part of a wellness strategy or a holistic approach to prevent disease.
Clinical studies support spinal manipulation to treat several conditions:
- Bed wetting
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Colic in infants
- Fibromyalgia
- Pain conditions (back, neck, headache)
- Pediatric ear infections
- Sinus problems
Despite suggestions that spinal manipulation helps with asthma, high blood pressure, or menstrual pain, research has not indicated manipulative therapy for these conditions.
“People seek spinal manipulation treatments not only to relieve pain but as part of a wellness strategy or as a holistic approach to prevent disease.”
Spinal Manipulation Techniques
Spinal manipulation techniques most frequently involve high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrusts. Chiropractors traditionally use their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force on a joint, often resulting in an audible “pop.” Typically, a combination of these techniques helps patients achieve the desired outcome.
Spinal manipulation may work in conjunction with ice and heat therapy, electric stimulation, traction devices to stretch the spine, or ultrasound to treat deep tissue problems. Spinal manipulative therapy is typically performed on a padded, adjustable table while the patient is positioned face down. This allows the back and spine to be completely flat and accessible.
“Chiropractors traditionally use their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force on a joint, often resulting in an audible pop.”
Spinal Manipulation vs. Spinal Mobilization
Spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization have the same goal of improving joint function. However, while spinal manipulation requires the practitioner to use their hands to twist or apply forceful thrusts on a specific joint, spinal mobilization uses gentler methods focused on stretching. Spinal mobilization may involve the use of a spring-loaded tool, called an activator, that applies a low amount of force on an isolated vertebra.
Spinal mobilization is often recommended for more delicate conditions such as osteoporosis, bone pathologies or deformities, and types of inflammatory arthritis. For patients with sensitive nervous systems, milder spinal mobilization techniques can save the patient from reactive muscle spasms.
“…spinal mobilization uses gentler methods focused on stretching.”
Safely Performed by Professionals
Spinal manipulation is safe when performed by a licensed professional such as a chiropractor, osteopathic physician, or physical therapist. Performed by an untrained individual, however, can result in serious complications like a herniated disk or pinched nerve. Severe conditions are often irreversible and cannot be treated.
It is also vital to know that spinal manipulation is not for everyone. Patients with a high risk of stroke, severe osteoporosis, spinal cancer, or instability should avoid manipulative therapy. Also, those whose arm or leg goes numb or loses strength after spinal manipulation should not seek further treatments.
“Spinal manipulation is safe when performed by a licensed professional.”
Learn More About Spinal Manipulation
Spine manipulative therapies provide a holistic approach to pain management, prevention, and overall wellness by relieving pressure on joints of the spine, reducing inflammatory processes, and improving nerve function. In cases where gentler techniques are indicated, such as osteoporosis, bone deformities, or other delicate conditions, spinal mobilization may be the preferred method.
If you are in search of spinal manipulation in Albany, let Better Pain Solutions help. Call us at (541) 249-7317 to learn more about our services and policies.
Check out what others are saying about our Spinal Manipulation services on Yelp: Spinal Manipulation Albany
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is spinal manipulation?
Q. What is spinal manipulation used for?
Q. What techniques are used for spinal manipulation?
Q. What is the difference between spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is spinal manipulation?
A. Spinal manipulation is the practice of manually adjusting or aligning the joints of the spine through forceful thrusts to relieve joint pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve function.
Q. What is spinal manipulation used for?
A. Spinal manipulation treats pain conditions and can also be done as part of preventative care and wellness. This
treatment has been shown to help reduce symptoms of:
Q. How is spinal manipulation different from spinal mobilization?
A. Spinal manipulation is the forceful thrusting or twisting of joints of the spine to improve joint function, whereas spinal mobilization achieves the same goal using gentler techniques and stretching.
Q. Is spinal manipulation safe?
A. Spinal manipulation is safe when performed by trained professionals, like chiropractors, osteopathic doctors, and physical therapists, but it can be dangerous at the hands of an untrained individual.
Q. How does spinal manipulation work?
A. Spinal manipulation treatments are often a combination of high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrusts and manual hand compressions that apply pressure on problem areas. Various treatments, such as ice and heat therapy, electric stimulation, traction devices to stretch the spine, or ultrasound, can also help achieve the same goal.
Definitions
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