13 January 2012

NEW STUDY SHOWS BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTICS IN RELIEVING NECK PAIN

Spinal manipulation and home exercise may be more effective at relieving neck pain in the long term than medication, according to new research from America.

The  study by Northwestern Health University followed a group of 272 adults with neck pain.  It split them into three groups with one group using pain relief, one group visiting a chiropractor and one group relying on a home exercise regime.

After three months, the study found that groups who were not taking medication did significantly better than those who were. About 57 percent of those who met with chiropractors and 48 percent of those who did the exercises reported at least a 75 percent reduction in pain, compared to 33 percent of the people in the medication group.

A year later, 53 percent of the people who had received spinal manipulation still reported at least a 75 percent reduction in pain, similar to the exercise group. That compared to just a 38 percent pain reduction among those who had been taking medication.

Tone Tellefsen Hughes of Luck’s Yard chiropractic clinic in Surrey said:

“These results are really interesting and really help to show how effective alternative treatments to standard medication such as chiropractics can be”

“Neck pain is one of the most common reasons for people to see a doctor.  In fact in affects 3 in 4 people at some point in their lifetime and can cause time off work as well as acute discomfort.

“The fact that over half the group who met with chiropractors were still benefitting from the treatment they had received is a testament to the benefits of chiropractic treatment.

“At Luck’s Yard clinic we also believe in the patient taking part in helping themselves. Most patients will get an initial stretch programme, and then, if necessary we offer a one to one individually tailored exercise programmes for strength, endurance and flexibility. Recovery is faster and more efficient is the patient is actively partaking in their own care. “

Notes for Editors

1.      The study conducted by Northwestern Health Sciences University compared a group of 272 people who had experienced neck pain with no specific cause .  The subjects were divided into three groups and followed for about three months.

2.      For more information about Luck’s Yard chiropractic clinic please visit www.lucksyard.com