The Effects of Chiropractic Care on Disc-related Sciatica

Posted by Greg Ingram, DC
(learn more: http://www.missionwellnesskc.com/Chiropractic/bio.html)

 

Some people are under the impression that chiropractic adjustments should be avoided by patients who are suffering from disc related sciatica. In fact, a few of the medical doctors I have worked with in the past have recommended that the patient avoid lumbar manipulation due to disc issues.   (I have actually seen this on referral scripts!)  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  In fact, according to a study published in Spine Journal in 2006, chiropractic treatment is a successful method of reducing and eliminating the acute lower back pain resulting from sciatica.  These results were derived from a random double-blind clinical trial on a set of more than one hundred patients experiencing severe pain and disc protrusions.

More specifically, nearly 55% of the patients receiving chiropractic care were relieved of radiating pain as compared to the 20% of patients from the group that received simulated, or “sham” chiropractic manipulation.  Additionally, 28% of the patients receiving care from chiropractors were free from the local pain as opposed to 6% of those that received simulated manipulations.

In conclusion, chiropractic care is more effective that other forms of sciatica treatment and has the added benefit of being free of side effects that many drugs can cause.

Chiropractic Care for the Treatment of Hypertension

Posted by Greg Ingram, DC

http://www.missionwellnesskc.com/Chiropractic/bio.html


 

A study headed by George Bakris, MD compared blood pressure readings of 25 patients who received specific adjustments to the atlas vertebra (the top bone in the neck), compared to 25 patients who received sham chiropractic adjustments.  Eight weeks after undergoing the procedure, 25 patients with early-stage hypertension had significantly lower blood pressure than the 25 similar patients who received sham chiropractic adjustments. 

Compared to the patients who received sham adjustments, those who received real chiropractic adjustments saw an average of 14mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number) and an average 8 mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number).

So how is this possible?   The control centers for the body are located at the base of the brain called the brainstem.  These centers control basic unconscious bodily functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure.  If the Atlas vertebra pinches against the brainstem, it may not cause pain but it can upset these basic functions. 

This procedure has the effect of not one, but two blood-pressure medications given in combination.  The adjustment has the additional benefit of not causing adverse side effects.