UK Evidence Report
The Effectiveness of Manual Therapies: UK evidence report by Gert Bronfort et al: 25th February 2010.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of manual therapy commisioned by the GCC, using research of the highest standards. According to the parameters of the review, the levels of evidence for using manual therapies to treat a range of conditions are categorised as: High and Moderate quality POSITIVE evidence; INCONCLUSIVE, but favourable evidence; INCONCLUSIVE, but non-favourable evidence; and High and Moderate quality NEGATIVE evidence.
For ease of reference a summary table can be found here.
It is expected that as new research is carried out and past research is identified and reviewed, the report will be updated. In October 2010, for instance, following a review of publications in the BMJ and studies brought to his attention (Santilli et al, Lawrence et al), Professor Bronfort considered that the level of evidence for manipulation for sciatica/radiating leg pain should be changed from INCONCLUSIVE but favourable, to a moderate level of POSITIVE evidence.
However, if you are at all unsure whether you suffer from one of these conditions - i.e. if you have a cervicogenic headache (for which there is evidence of effective treatment) or a tension type headache (for which there is no evidence of effective treatment) - and find the Bronfort Report a little dry and academic, then please feel free to contact one of the chiropractors, either by telephone, by email, or in person at the clinic.
What Chiropractic Can Treat
Chiropractic care can help people with a wide range of conditions, and the following are a few common conditions that patients can receive treatment for:
LOW BACK PAIN
Back pain affects almost everyone at some point, causing immense pain, not to mention time off work. Low back pain can be caused by poor posture, lifting, bad seating or beds, sporting or incidental injury, stress, pregnancy and general wear and tear. A BCA chiropractor will identify the cause and treat your back pain and advise on how to keep it under control.
HEADACHES AND MIGRAINE
Headaches are very common and there are different types. Chiropractic treatment has been found to be effective in the treatment of cervicogenic headache and cervicogenic dizziness. Migraines are a more complicated condition and their causes are more numerous. Some forms can stem from irritation of the nerves close to the vertebrae of the neck or may be triggered by muscle tension. If this is the case, if the cause or trigger is of a musculoskeletal nature, then chiropractic treatment may help. But there are many, many triggers of migraine.
BCA chiropractors are trained to diagnose the musculoskeletal causes of headache and to recognise any 'Red Flag' conditions which might indicate a more serious underlying condition, so they will either treat you accordingly or refer you to an appropriate specialist. Treatments will include specific adjustments, particularly to the neck and possibly the upper back. Painkillers, although of some help, do not address the cause and so cannot bring the improvement that chiropractic can offer.
LOW BACK PAIN IN PREGNANCY
Physical and chemical changes in a women’s body when pregnant can aggravate or cause spinal problems. Many women can find relief from lower back pain in late pregnancy and a chiropractor can advise on how to adapt your lifestyle in order to make daily routines easier.
ARTHRITIC PAIN
Arthritis affects people of all ages and has many causes. The most common is osteoarthritis; also know as spondylosis in the spine or, more generally, wear and tear. Degeneration of the joints cannot normally be reversed. However, regular chiropractic treatment can keep joints healthier and mobile, reducing pain and helping slow further wear and tear. More inflammatory forms of arthritis can only be managed during periods of remission.
NECK PAIN & NECK INJURIES
Acute, sub acute and chronic neck pain can be helped with chiropractic. Chiropractic manipulation and muscle treatment can help to relieve pain and to restore more normal movement to your neck. A BCA chiropractor may also prescribe exercises to help you regain strength and flexibility and relieve the long-term pain and discomfort.
SPORTS INJURIES
Sports injuries are very often no more than everyday problems that have been exposed when an ‘occasional athlete’ over-stresses his or her body when taking up a new activity. They may result from: poor gait or posture; lack of fitness; inadequate equipment. Participating in sport may also leave you open to repetitive strain injury and over-use of specific parts of the body.
Chiropractors can help sports men and women get the body parts moving well again and recommend that you should ensure that you are fit enough before you start any strenuous sport. For serious athletes, pre-season checks can identify, treat and strengthen any weak areas before injuries occur, and regular check-ups help to maintain optimum performance.
JOINT PAIN
Chiropractors understand the working of every joint in the body and will identify whether or not a pain is being referred from your spine before treating you accordingly. Some typical complaints which a BCA chiropractor can help with are:
Tennis elbow – overuse of the muscles on the outside of the forearm and upper arm – not necessarily due to playing tennis!
Repetitive strain injury – can occur in any joint of the body
Frozen shoulder – is inflammation of tendons and ligaments around the shoulder joint
Arthritic pain – occurs in several forms