Spinal Manipulation
Spinal Manipulation Albany, 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 Q&A
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.
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.
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.
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.