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Positive effects of a manipulation from a chiropractor
Objective effects of a chiropractic adjustment have been investigated and reported. More specifically, a single chiropractic adjustment produces both sensory and motor effects as well as sympathetic nervous system effects.
Reported sensory and motor effects of a manipulation include:
• Increased joint ROM in all 3 planes and reduction of pain
• Increased skin pain tolerance level
• Increased paraspinal muscle pressure pain tolerance
• Reduced muscle electrical activity and tension
Reported Sympathetic nervous system effects of a manipulation include:
• Increased blood flow and distal skin temperature
• Blood pressure reduction
Reported blood chemistry changes after a manipulation include:
• Increased secretion of melatonin
• Increased plasma beta endorphin levels
• Elevation of Substance P and enhanced neutrophil respiratory burst
• Pupillary diameter changes.
There are many different techniques a chiropractor can choose from and there is a certain skill level and "art" involved with high velocity, low amplitude adjustment or manipulation. It is perhaps more important for the chiropractor to determine when not to apply the adjustment, which is the reason for the extensive academic load placed on the chiropractic student (4 years of college plus 4 years at a chiropractic college).
The number of chiropractic treatments required for the particular patient varies significantly due to the degree of the injury, the unpredictability between patients, and co-morbid risk factors of chronicity (anxiety, depression, poor coping strategies, financial distress, low educational attainment, and others). For example, the chiropractic treatment plan of a grade 1, lumbar sprain/strain rarely demands greater than 4-6 weeks to manage in an uncomplicated case with no co-morbid factors.
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