Chiropractic Massage Safety and Other Treatments

In the Philippines, chiropractic treatment has gone a long way since it was introduced by Dr. Jamison Uy who established permanent practice in Manila in 1986. Regulated by the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), an attached agency of the Department of Health (DOH), clinics are accredited so as to make sure that patient safety and quality care is not compromised in any way.

Because of this, more and more Filipinos are including chiropractic massage and other forms of treatment in their healthcare routine. This should not come as a surprise since in the Philippines, general practitioners in the mold of “manghihilots” are oftentimes the primary dispensers of healthcare services. “Manghihilots” are individuals who employ chiropractic-like manipulations as well as massages for remedy, and they are still popular in the country, especially in rural areas. The ailments that they address include sprains, strains, fractures, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Furthermore, the benefits of chiropractic treatment are simply vast and impressive. From improving posture to reducing pain, enhancing range of motion, and boosting the immune system, the list just goes on. Despite all these, though, many are still skeptical of the said alternative medicine. Some go as far as asking, “Is chiropractic treatment safe?” This should not be the case because chiropractors undergo extensive training to perform chiro-related remedies.

Without further ado, let us take a look at the reasons why the safety of chiropractic massage and other treatments is impeccable, to say the least.

What Makes Chiro Treatment Safe

Extensive training

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), regardless of the educational model in possession, individuals who want to practice chiropractic medicine but do not have relevant prior healthcare schooling or experience are required to undergo 4,200 hours of student-teacher contact hours or the equivalent of four years of full-time healthcare learning. This also includes not less than 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training.

To carry out chiropractic medicine, they should be able to apply basic scientific knowledge of human anatomy, understand the nature of biomechanics, learn posture pathophysiology of the neuromusculoskeletal system, establish accurate clinical diagnoses, provide competent treatments, and so on.

Divided by year, a chiropractic educational/graduate program usually involves the following:

- First year: Chiropractic principles, general anatomy, spinal anatomy, and biochemistry.
- Second year: Chiropractic procedures, clinical orthopedics, pathology, research methods, and imaging interpretation.
- Third year: Integrated chiropractic care, clinical internships, pediatrics, ethics, jurisprudence, and practice management.
- Fourth year: Clinical internship wherein a student learns under a chiropractor and completes rotations in a hospital.

Backed by Science

A 2018 review that was published in the Spine Journal, which included 17 years of studies that involve spinal manipulation or mobilization, suggests that chiropractic treatment is safe, effective, and everything in between. The review involved studies that examined the effects of chiropractic massage and other forms of chiro treatment on chronic back pain. Researchers were able to conclude that they play key roles in reducing discomfort and improving overall function.

The American College of Physicians recommends that patients with lower back ache engage in a wide range of non-pharmacological methods, which include chiropractic treatment. This is because the said form of remedy can help alleviate pain minus serious side effects and detrimental conditions.

Therefore, it can be said that chiro treatment is safe for people of varying ages. Such statement is also backed by Canadian researchers who were involved in the Manga Report, the largest analysis of scientific literature on the most effective and cost-efficient treatments for lower back pain. The report suggests that spine manipulation is safer than conventional medical management for the said condition. It added that it is greatly superior to the latter with regard to validity, safety, affordability, and patient satisfaction.

Chiropractors Craft the Best Strategy

In general, before performing chiropractic massage and other forms of treatment, a chiropractor takes a close look at a patient’s co-existing conditions together with his or her medical history. This is because there are certain instances when a doctor needs to modify the approach so as to ensure that the welfare of the patient is not compromised in any way.

Also, it is important to note that some conditions are considered as contradicting medical ailments or red flags. While they do not prohibit chiropractic treatment that includes soft-tissue, low-amplitude, low-velocity mobilization, and other procedures, they require extensive adjustments. This is to ensure that the chiro sessions that are going to be performed best complement the health needs of patients.

For instance, bone tumors are considered red flag ailments due to the fact that tumors or cancers may have a negative impact on the strength of affected bones. The good news is that despite the limitations, chiropractic treatment can still be performed. That is because a chiro can come up with a personalized approach that uses other joint and spine manipulation options–putting the patient–out of harm’s way.

Also, a patient who uses a pacemaker is advised to refrain from undergoing electrotherapy treatments at all costs. Therefore, a chiro may perform different therapies that are not going to hamper the pacemaker’s functions.

Chiropractic Care: The Side Effects

Remember, chiropractic massage and other forms of treatment are generally safe when fulfilled by a trained as well as registered practitioner. However, this does not mean that there are no side effects. They are inevitable and may include the following: musculoskeletal pain, lightheadedness, tiredness, stiffness, and so on. They are usually mild and do not influence regular activities. Also, they go away after a day or two.

In addition, there seems to be no greater risk for elderly patients who have neuro-musculoskeletal issues with regard to visiting a chiro compared to visiting a healthcare practitioner. On the other hand, some underlying ailments may significantly increase risk; for this reason, chiropractors extensively and carefully screen the said patients for relevant factors.

Summing up

Chiropractic massage and chiropractic medicine, in general, are some of the safest and most natural ways to treat different kinds of acute and chronic pain. They can help patients make compelling progress toward enhancing their overall quality of life by allowing them to cope with stress, fatigue, insomnia, and other health concerns.

If you are seriously considering undergoing chiro treatment, our team of doctors at Posture Perfect can guide you in the process. They can also elaborate the potential timetable and other specifics. Book an appointment now and get started!