If you’re like many people, a sore back is a reason to schedule a visit with the chiropractor. But there’s compelling research showing us chiropractic does so much more than treat back pain. From boosting immune function and reducing inflammation to improving balance and alleviating stress, chiropractic care isn’t just for back pain.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
- Boosted immune function – A study from 2010 showed increased antibodies following chiropractic adjustments, leading the authors to theorize that the adjustments were effectively “priming” the immune system and making it more effective against infection and illness.
- Reduced inflammation – A 2011 study compared patients with back pain against a control group without back pain. Both groups received chiropractic adjustments, and researchers found that those in the back pain group showed radically reduced levels of a telltale inflammatory cytokine. High levels of this compound have been linked to a number of inflammatory diseases.
- Reduced blood pressure – A 2007 study involving a group of patients with high blood pressure treated half to a chiropractic adjustment and the other half a sham adjustment. A whopping 85% of the patients in the chiropractic group showed a dramatic decrease in blood pressure.
- Reduced stress – A Japanese study in 2011 examined PET scan images and blood chemistry following chiropractic adjustments given to 12 men. The patients showed altered brain activity in the area of the brain that processes pain and stress reactions, as well as dramatically reduced cortisol levels. Patient feedback included lower pain scores and higher quality of life following treatment.
- Improved balance – A 2009 study linked chiropractic adjustment with reduced dizziness and improved balance, and a 2015 review of the same study suggests chiropractic care could be an effective method of reducing falls in elderly patients.
To learn more about how chiropractic care can benefit your sore back and become an effective preventative care method, contact us today.