The Illusive Pop of Spinal Manipulation
“To Pop or Not to Pop” is of course a
turn on an age-old Shakespearean quote for an age-old chiropractic
spinal manipulation question. The answer
today is that it’s not a required
measure of back pain relief from spinal
manipulation treatment (SMT), yet back pain and neck pain patients undergoing SMT want and need to know more. Present-day
guidelines for managing low back pain
stress patient education and exercise as important
topics of discussion. Healthcare practitioners are
pretty good (72% overall) at delivering
information. By profession, though, chiropractors lead in
providing patient education for 76% of patients with
physical therapists at 74% and general practitioners at only 44%. The
more emotional distress a patient
exhibited or pain presented below the knee,
information was shared with 78% of patients. (1) An important
topic for Burlington and Hamilton back pain and neck pain patients undergoing spinal
manipulation treatment (SMT) is this sometimes-audible pop. A systematic
review of published studies revealed that regardless of the spinal
area or follow-up time after the SMT, there was no research evidence
of improved pain outcomes or success of the treatment linked
to an audible pop. (2) This is good to know since some patients have it, and some don’t.
Patients whose practitioners explained the audible pop to them - and others who were
not spinal manipulation patients - reported
interesting theories of what caused that sound
and had overemphasized ideas of its importance. (3) Instead of
the question “To pop or not to pop?” the better question
for you and your Burlington and Hamilton chiropractor may well be “Is
there pain relief or not?” With our gentle chiropractic care, there is
pain relief for many Burlington and Hamilton back pain and neck pain sufferers. We
look forward to talking with you at your
next chiropractic visit at Spinal Care Clinic!
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Kurt Olding on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he details
the gentle spinal manipulation treatment of spinal stenosis with The
Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
[[CHIROPRACTIC]] TIP OF THE MONTH:
Vitamin D for Adrenal Gland Support
Vitamin D enjoys a favored reputation and is well- researched beyond its
earlier role of supporting phospho-calcium
metabolism and skeletal bone disorders. Today, research has
well-established vitamin D as a hormone and recounted vitamin D
as influential for various diseases from cancer,
inflammation, and autoimmunity (Hashimoto’s, Graves’, diabetes) to adrenal
gland health and disease (Cushing’s, Addison’s). (4) The adrenal gland has two
main parts: (A) The adrenal cortex makes cortisol which
regulates the sleep/wake cycle, body’s use of
fats/proteins/carbs, inflammation, blood pressure as well as
increases blood sugar and reduces bone formation.
(B) The adrenal medulla makes “stress hormones”
epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) in charge
of the fight or flight response. (5) Adrenal gland issues
keep people awake at night…for real! Although not yet
conclusive, 800-2000IU a day was suggested in
one recent study to support adrenal health. (6)
Spinal Care Clinic is excited to discuss vitamin D
and any adrenal gland issues you may be having.
CONTACT Spinal Care Clinic
Schedule your next Burlington and Hamilton
chiropractic visit with Spinal Care Clinic soon! We
have a lot to talk about!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."