How Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation at Moriarty Chiropractic Works to Ease Your Chronic Pain

If you're living with chronic musculoskeletal pain, you're likely exploring every avenue for relief. Chiropractic spinal manipulation has gained recognition as a beneficial treatment option, and new research is shedding light on exactly how and why it works.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND SPINAL MANIPULATION

Spinal manipulative therapy good goes beyond your spine. According to recent research, it activates multiple helpful mechanisms throughout your nervous system. (3) When chiropractors apply controlled force to spinal joints, it stimulates sensory receptors that shoot signals to your brain, helping to decrease pain perception and boost joint function. The pathways through which spinal manipulation delivers relief are complex and intertwined. Research shows that manipulation can lower muscle tension, boost blood flow, and regulate pain signals moving about your spinal cord. It also appears to influence the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in your body, creating a flow of therapeutic effects that extend beyond the immediate treatment area.

GENTLE ALTERNATIVE: FLEXION-DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE

Not all spinal manipulation involves twisting motions and popping sounds. Moriarty Chiropractic offers a gentler, non-thrust technique called flexion-distraction (aka Cox® Technic) that uses rhythmic movements to decompress spinal joints. Recent ultrasound research has analyzed how this technique affects the spine via its controlled movement of spinal segments, showing its precision and mechanical effects on the spine. (1) (This builds on the foundational study of the biomechanical effects of Cox® Technic.) For patients who prefer a subtler approach or have conditions that make traditional manipulation unsuitable, flexion-distraction as performed at Moriarty Chiropractic offers delivers meaningful pain relief through controlled, comfortable movements.

EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS

Research consistently validates chiropractic care as an effective treatment for chronic musculoskeletal conditions. A comprehensive analysis in JBJS Reviews assessed the scientific evidence and determined that spinal manipulation provides significant relief for numerous patients suffering with persistent back and neck pain. (2) The research explains that when properly applied, chiropractic care can be a helpful component of a comprehensive pain management plan. Another study in the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association explored the underlying mechanisms, discussing how spinal manipulation affects neuroplastic changes—essentially helping retrain how your nervous system processes pain signals over time. (3) The research keeps evolving and gets more interesting all the time!

A SAFE, PATIENT-CENTERED APPROACH

When done by licensed chiropractors, spinal manipulation has a robust safety profile. The key is working with a qualified practitioner like yours at Moriarty Chiropractic who performs thorough assessments and develops an individualized chiropractic treatment plan based on your specific condition and needs.

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the process a chiropractic patient can anticipate going through with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management toward relief.

If chronic pain is negatively affecting your quality of life in Nashua, schedule an appointment with us for chiropractic care that has the strong potential to offer the relief you've been wanting through evidence-based care with us at Moriarty Chiropractic.