Chiropractic care is a manipulative, or body-based, therapy. Chiropractic adjustment is the most common form of treatment used by healthcare professionals called chiropractors. This type of treatment often involves manipulating bones of the spine as well as other joints and muscles to correct musculoskeletal problems. Chiropractic treatment can be effective in treating pain caused by bone or muscle problems.
History
Chiropractic care was practised by healers in ancient Egypt and has been used for centuries by Asian healers. There are chiropractic colleges that provide professional training in chiropractic therapy.
Use and claims
Chiropractic therapy is based on the belief that:
- gentle manipulation of the spine and other joints helps the body heal itself
- a healthy spine and nervous system play an important role in health and well-being
Chiropractic theory states that illness results when nerves are compressed by joints that are out of place or by muscle spasms. Chiropractors manipulate the spine and joints to relieve compressed nerves.
Chiropractic care is most commonly used to treat back pain, neck pain, headaches and other pain from muscle and bone problems. It can also improve problems with joint movement caused by some musculoskeletal conditions. There is evidence that chiropractic manipulation is effective for these musculoskeletal problems.
However, there is no scientific evidence to support other claims, such as its ability to treat heart disease and allergies or that it can prevent or treat cancer.
Chiropractic care may be helpful in controlling or managing certain types of cancer-related pain.
How it is given
The chiropractor assesses and diagnoses the person's problem by gathering information about their health and current symptoms. This is combined with a physical examination of a person's posture and feeling the spine or other bones and joints. The chiropractor may also order tests such as spine or joint x-rays to help find out the source of symptoms.
Chiropractors most often use their hands and elbows to manipulate bones and muscles. Manipulation puts the bones and joints back into their natural place to try to restore proper alignment and nerve function. The chiropractor may also use hot and cold treatments, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, massage, traction, special equipment and other methods. They may suggest certain exercises to help correct problems or prevent further problems.
Summary of the evidence
Chiropractic manipulation has been shown to be effective in treating lower back pain and other pain caused by muscle or bone problems. Chiropractors have also treated headaches and sports injuries with some success. Chiropractic manipulation has been studied for many conditions, but it is mainly useful for muscle and bone problems. Much of the evidence comes from published reviews, but strong conclusions cannot be drawn from these.
Some literature reviews have examined clinical trials involving spinal manipulation. The authors concluded that manipulation does have short-term benefits for treating some people, in particular those with low back pain. These reviews concluded that not enough research has been done to know whether chiropractic care has long-term benefits for low back pain.
There is some evidence that suggests that chiropractic manipulation helps neck pain and may be helpful for headaches, including tension headaches and migraines, especially when it is combined with pain medication.
None of the studies were done specifically for people with cancer.
Potential side effects and risks
Chiropractic manipulation is generally considered to be safe, but there are some risks associated with spinal manipulation. Most side effects are mild and are not long-lasting. There have been some cases of serious complications such as stroke because of manipulation of the neck during chiropractic care.
People with cancer should talk to their doctor to see if it is okay for them to have chiropractic treatments. They should also inform the chiropractor about their cancer and any treatments they have had. Chiropractors may adjust manipulation techniques based on the person's health history. Chiropractic treatments may not be recommended for people with some health conditions, including:
- primary bone cancer or cancer that has spread to the bone (metastatic bone cancer)
- cancer involving the bone marrow, such as leukemia and multiple myeloma
- diseases affecting the spinal cord
- weakened bones or severe osteoporosis
- broken bones
- certain types of arthritis
- bleeding problems or people taking blood thinners (anticoagulants)
It is important to have chiropractic treatments done by a trained, qualified chiropractor. Chiropractic practice is regulated by provincial statutes, and every Canadian province has its own Act that governs the practice of the profession.