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Researching Chiropractic: Muscle Relaxants, Degenerative Spinal Disease

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond positively to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, reliant on medication and drugs, and facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care?

Probably most of them. 

researching chiropractic

Chiropractic vs Muscle Relaxants for Low Back Pain

Most people dealing with a flare of low back pain get handed a prescription for muscle relaxants. It is the path of least resistance in a busy medical system, and it feels like doing something. A randomized clinical trial published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics compared that approach directly against chiropractic adjustments for patients with subacute low back pain and found that chiropractic produced significantly greater reductions in pain and disability than muscle relaxant medication. The chiropractic group also reported fewer side effects, which is not surprising given that muscle relaxants carry a list of them, including drowsiness, dependence risk, and diminishing effectiveness over time. Addressing the mechanical source of the problem rather than chemically suppressing the muscular response produces better outcomes because it treats the right thing. That distinction matters more than most people realize when they are standing at the pharmacy counter.

Chiropractic Care & Degenerative Spinal Disease

Degenerative joint disease of the spine is one of those diagnoses that can feel like a dead end. Imaging shows changes, the doctor mentions arthritis, and the implicit message is that this is just what aging looks like and that management is the best available option. Research published in the Spine Journal suggests the story does not have to end there. A study examining dose-response relationships in chiropractic care for chronic low back pain found that patients with degenerative spinal changes who received chiropractic care reported significantly greater improvements in pain levels, physical function, and quality of life compared to those receiving standard medical management alone. More care produced better outcomes up to a meaningful threshold, suggesting that consistent, ongoing chiropractic is not just maintenance but active improvement for patients with degenerative conditions. A diagnosis of spinal degeneration is not a reason to stop caring for the spine. It is one of the strongest reasons to start.

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

Please encourage them to make an appointment with us!

Call today for an appointment: 517.627.4547

Chiropractic & the Aging Spine: Staying Mobile, Strong, and Pain-Free

What Aging Actually Does to the Spine

The spine does not age the way most people imagine. It doesn’t suddenly deteriorate after a certain birthday. It is a gradual accumulation of wear, restrictions, and compensation that builds across decades, largely invisibly, until something tips the balance and symptoms appear. Disc height decreases slowly as discs lose hydration and resilience. Facet joints develop arthritic changes from years of uneven loading. Ligaments thicken and lose elasticity. Bone density shifts. None of these processes are dramatic in isolation. Together they produce stiffness, reduced range of motion, and increased pain sensitivity that most people associate with getting older.

The critical distinction is between inevitable aging and aging accelerated by how you’ve maintained your spine. A spine that has moved well throughout life, received regular care, and avoided prolonged periods of restriction ages differently than one that has been sedentary, repeatedly injured, or ignored. Research is consistent: movement quality across the lifespan is one of the strongest predictors of spinal health in later decades.

What Chiropractic Contributes to Healthy Spinal Aging

Regular chiropractic care for an aging spine does several important things. It maintains segmental mobility in areas prone to stiffening, reducing the uneven load distribution that accelerates facet joint degeneration. It supports the neurological feedback loops that govern balance, coordination, and postural stability, all of which decline with age and all of which respond positively to spinal care. It addresses the compensatory patterns that develop when one area of the spine stiffens, and adjacent segments take on extra load.

Research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that older adults receiving regular chiropractic care reported significantly better overall health, greater mobility, and fewer falls compared to age-matched peers not receiving care, with benefits compounding over time.¹ That last detail is worth sitting with. The longer care continued, the greater the benefit. This is not a short-term fix. It is a long-term investment with returns that grow.

The Conversation Worth Having Earlier

The most common mistake people make with spinal aging is waiting until something is significantly wrong before seeking care. By the time pain is significant enough to motivate action, the degenerative changes driving it are often well established. Starting or maintaining regular chiropractic care in your forties and fifties, before degeneration becomes symptomatic, gives your spine a meaningfully better trajectory into your sixties, seventies, and beyond.

Aging is not optional; how the spine ages is, at least in part, a choice.

Make an appointment with LanjoChiro today!

Call (517) 627-4547

Researching Chiropractic: Neck Pain, Blood Pressure & the Atlas Vertebra

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond positively to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, reliant on medication and drugs, and facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care?

Probably most of them.

atrial fibrillation

Neck Pain & Spinal Manipulation

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 6 compared chiropractic care with medication for patients with acute and subacute neck pain. Researchers found that chiropractic patients reported faster and greater improvements in both pain levels and overall function, with spinal manipulation showing greater benefits than drug-based management. For patients looking for a non-pharmaceutical approach to neck pain, the evidence is solid.

Blood Pressure & the Atlas Vertebra

Published in the Journal of Human Hypertension (1), this study examined the effect of a single chiropractic adjustment to the Atlas vertebra, the topmost bone in the cervical spine, on blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The results were striking. Participants experienced a significant drop in blood pressure following the adjustment, an outcome that researchers compared to taking two blood pressure medications simultaneously. This highlights the significant impact that spinal alignment can have on bodily systems that extend far beyond just the muscles and bones.

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

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  1. .Bakris G, Dickholtz M, Meyer PM, et al. “Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal.” Journal of Human Hypertension. 2007;21:347-352.

Researching Chiropractic: Elbow Pain & Spinal Curve

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception.

How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? Probably most of them.

researching chiropractic

A 48-year-old man with a 2-year history of left-elbow pain consistent with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) reported significant functional limitations, including inability to play golf. Chiropractic care focused on Active Release Techniques (ART) applied to the soft tissues around the elbow. After five sessions over three weeks, the patient reported complete pain resolution and was able to play 18 holes of golf up to 3 times per week at both 4- and 8-week follow-up, demonstrating improved function and symptom resolution.(1)


A pediatric patient presented with a spinal curve caused by leg-length inequality and pelvic tilt, identified as functional (non-structural) scoliosis. Chiropractic care focused on correcting pelvic imbalance and muscular asymmetry, leading to resolution of the curvature and preventing progression to structural adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This case emphasizes the value of early chiropractic evaluation in identifying reversible spinal patterns. (2)

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

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  1. Gliedt JA, Daniels CJ. Chiropractic treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a case report utilizing active release techniques. J Chiropr Med. 2014;13(2):104-109. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2014.06.009.
  2. Plaugher G. Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Can You Evaluate and Manage It? Dynamic Chiropractic. 2002.

Researching Chiropractic: Migraines, Torticollis & Tic Douloureux

How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? Probably most of them.

hypnic headaches

Migraine and hypnic headaches

A 59-year-old woman suffered from chronic migraines and hypnic headaches (headaches that wake people from sleep) along with nausea and skin rashes. Migraine has a global prevalence of 10% and is the seventh leading cause of time spent disabled. Hypnic headaches are less common.

The patient’s migraines began 15 years prior and significantly affected her quality of life. During that time, her care consisted of RelpaxT, a prescription drug, massage and TylenolT. Her headaches continued unabated. She also recalled that her mother had migraines that began around her menopause.

Chiropractic care of two visits a week for 3 months and then once per week for 6 weeks resulted in resolution of her headaches as well as additional health benefits. (1)

Torticollis, cranial distortion and difficulty feeding

A 13-day-old boy and his twin sister were brought in for chiropractic evaluation and possible care. The boy had torticollis, difficulty latching to his mother’s left breast and cranial distortion. The parents reported that the baby was very gassy and seemed uncomfortable daily. The pediatrician could offer no options. 

The parents reported that the boy was in the head down position for most of his time in utero with the weight of his sister on top of him.

After analysis for subluxations of his spine and skull, the boy was adjusted while he was lying on a pillow on his back or on his mother’s chest while she was lying on her back on the chiropractic table. 

The child had seven visits over 6 weeks with continued improvements. He was able to latch onto both breasts, the gassiness had decreased and the torticollis had resolved. Improvements were noticed by his third appointment. (2)

Tic douloureux

Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as “tic douloureux,” is a chronic nerve disorder characterized by intense, persistent and often debilitating shooting sensations of pain in the face. The pain is so intense people have killed themselves and for that reason it is sometimes called the “suicide disease.” 

A 62-year-old woman came to a chiropractic clinic with a chief complaint of chronic right-sided facial pain of 2 years’ duration which she said felt like stabbing and throbbing, “like a bunch of pitch forks.” 

She had experienced three separate automobile accidents over the past 27 years but had no residual symptoms. The pain began four months after she had had a dental surgical procedure, either a filling or root canal on a wisdom tooth on the right side of her face. Over the course of two years, numerous prescription drugs and alternative supplements had been prescribed by multiple doctors and specialists. She had spent over $9,000 in personal funds seeking relief.

Over the course of six months, the patient received 26 chiropractic adjustments. As a result, she experienced significant reductions in frequency and duration of pain. (3)

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

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  1. Niddery E, Alcantara J. Resolution of chronic migraines and hypnic headaches in a 59-year-old female: a case report & review of the literature. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. September 2, 2019:117-126.
  2. Green S, Alcantara J. Resolution of torticollis, breastfeeding difficulties & cranial distortion in a twin infant undergoing chiropractic care for vertebral subluxation: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic. July 10, 2019:78-81.
  3. Cramer J, Persky A. Reduction of chronic trigeminal neuralgia following upper cervical specific chiropractic care: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research. September 9, 2019:56-62.

Researching Chiropractic: Dowager’s Hump, Fibromyalgia

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond positively to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, reliant on medication and drugs, and facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

Dowagers Hump

Dowager’s Hump in 40 Year Old Woman 

A 40-year-old woman developed a pronounced thoracic kyphosis-commonly called a Dowager’s hump-along with chronic neck and upper back pain. Her condition was linked to long-term forward head posture from excessive smartphone use. Examination confirmed hyperkyphosis and reduced cervical mobility. Chiropractic care included spinal adjustments, postural correction, myofascial therapy, exercises, and ergonomic changes.

Over nine months of consistent treatment, the patient experienced complete pain relief and visible improvement in posture. Follow-up radiographs showed a significant reduction in the kyphotic curvature. This case suggests that multimodal chiropractic care can effectively manage postural deformities like Dowager’s hump without surgery, especially when addressed early.[1]

Fibromyalgia in 34-Year-Old U.S. Veteran 

A 34-year-old U.S. veteran with fibromyalgia presented with widespread spinal pain affecting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, along with bilateral shoulder and hip discomfort and intermittent tingling in all four limbs. His condition significantly limited daily function and quality of life. An integrated care approach introduced a multimodal chiropractic management strategy, encompassing spinal adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, stretching, and exercise recommendations.

Throughout the course of care, the patient reported significant reductions in pain and improved functional capacity, enabling greater participation in daily activities. This case highlights the potential role of chiropractic care as part of a multidisciplinary strategy for managing complex chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.[2]

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

Please encourage them to make an appointment with us!

(517) 627-4547

 

  1. Rocha-Romero E, López-Romero S, et al. Treatment of thoracic hyperkyphosis (Dowager’s hump) through chiropractic care: a case report. J Med Life. 2023;16(4):559-565. https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2023-0026

2. Hansen C, Hecimovich M. Multimodal Chiropractic Care of a Veteran With Fibromyalgia: Case Report. J Chiropr Med. 2022;21(2):96-101. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2022.02.005.

 

Researching Chiropractic: Rib and Low Back Pain & Immune-deficiency

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them. 

rib pain

Children, mothers and chiropractic

Chiropractic care is the most common complementary and alternative (CAM) intervention for children, with wellness care cited as the most common reason for care.

This study included five children (3 boys and 2 girls, ages 9-13) who were under chiropractic care since birth. In fact, all the mothers were under chiropractic care before, during and after they became pregnant.

All the mothers reported a decrease in symptoms such as low back pain, extremity numbness and generalized soreness while pregnant. Four of the children were born vaginally with no complications and one was delivered via an obstetrician-recommended cesarean section. All the children were either fully or partially vaccinated; all were breastfed. 

The parents reported that their children experienced a higher level of health and quality of life than other children of the same age. 

Rib and low back pain in a 26-year-old

A 26-year-old man complaining of rib and low back pain began chiropractic care. Chiropractic analysis revealed subluxations and an unbalanced nervous system; the patient received 17 adjustments over a 10-month period and experienced a significant improvement upon his first post-examination at one month and second post-examination at 10 months of care.

In addition to his rib and low back pain relief, the patient demonstrated long-term curve correction as well as improvement in his autonomic nervous system. 

An “immune-deficient” 5-year-old

A 5-year-old girl diagnosed as immuno-deficient with recurrent respiratory illnesses was brought in for chiropractic care.

Her history included a premature birth, birth trauma, torticollis, constipation, frequent ear infections, tympanostomy (ear) tubes, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Under chiropractic care her vertebral subluxations were immediately addressed and corrected. The mother reported a decrease in her daughters’ respiratory illnesses and related symptoms and an increased ability to respond to infections more efficiently. She was able to stop all medication with only occasional use of an inhaler at night. 

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

Please encourage them to make an appointment with us!

(517) 627-4547

Researching Chiropractic: Spinal Stenosis & Thoracic Curve

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond positively to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, reliant on medication and drugs, and facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

researching chiropractic

Spinal Stenosis

A 70-year-old woman with MRI-confirmed cervical spinal stenosis and spinal cord deformation developed neck pain, headaches, and burning sensations after a car accident. She received chiropractic care using Applied Biostructural Therapy and Atlas Coccygeal Technique-nontraditional, gentle manipulations focused on reducing neural tension. Her symptoms resolved completely after a few sessions and remained absent at one-year follow-up, suggesting these chiropractic techniques may offer safe, long-term relief in select stenosis cases.[1]

Thoracic Curve

A 15-year-old girl with a 46° thoracic curve from adolescent idiopathic scoliosis underwent 18 months of chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation. Her Cobb angle reduced by 16°, along with improvements in posture, back pain, and bowel function. This case suggests chiropractic care may offer a non-surgical option for AIS.[2]

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

Please encourage them to make an appointment with us!

(517) 627-4547

  1. Kukurin GW. The Amelioration of Symptoms in Cervical Spinal Stenosis with Spinal Cord Deformation Through Specific Chiropractic Manipulation: A Case Report with Long-term Follow-Up. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004;27(5):e7.
  2. Lotan S, Kalichman L. Manual therapy treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A case report. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2019;23(1):189-193. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2018.01.005.

Researching Chiropractic: Migraines, Neck Pain, Cervical Radiculopathy

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond positively to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, reliant on medication and drugs, and facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care?

Probably most of them.

A 42-year-old male presented with chronic migraines and neck pain

Conditions he associated with poor posture. After undergoing chiropractic care, he reported significant improvements in both migraine frequency and neck discomfort. The treatment focused on spinal adjustments aimed at correcting postural misalignments, particularly forward head posture, which is often linked to chronic headaches. This case underscores the potential effectiveness of chiropractic interventions in addressing posture-related headache disorders. (1)

Cervical Radiculopathy

A 61-year-old man with right-sided neck pain and arm numbness was diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, confirmed by MRI showing a C5-C6 disc herniation. He received chiropractic care, including cervical adjustments and therapeutic exercises, over a 12-week period. The treatment resulted in significant pain relief, improved mobility, and restored limb strength, demonstrating the effectiveness of chiropractic care in managing cervical radiculopathy.  (2)

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

Please encourage them to make an appointment with us!

(517) 627-4547

  1. Hassan F, Postlethwaite R, McIvor C. Improvement in migraines and chronic neck pain in a 42-year-old male under chiropractic care: A Case Report. Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal. 2021
  2. Kumar N, Krishna S, Shenoy R. BMJ Case Rep. 2014;2014:bcr2013200546. doi:10.1136/bcr-2013-200546

Researching Chiropractic: Severe low back pain and Colds and Sinus Infections

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond positively to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, reliant on medication and drugs, and facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

sinus infections

Severe Low Back Pain 

Linda, a 55-year-old schoolteacher, struggled with severe low back pain that made it difficult to stand in front of her class. Painkillers provided little relief, and her orthopedic doctor suggested surgery.

Looking for alternatives, she tried chiropractic care. Her chiropractor discovered a pelvic misalignment, likely from years of poor posture. After just a few sessions, Linda felt significant relief, and after three months of treatment, she was able to teach pain-free for the first time in years. She even canceled her surgery, making her skeptical orthopedic surgeon admit, “Whatever you’re doing, it’s working.” (1)

Frequent Colds and Sinus Infections

Tom, a 35-year-old firefighter, frequently battled colds and sinus infections due to his demanding job. Skeptical but willing, he joined a chiropractic study. After months of adjustments, he noticed fewer illnesses, milder allergies, and more energy. One night, after a major fire, he realized he hadn’t been sick in months. Lab tests confirmed improved immune markers, reinforcing his belief in chiropractic care’s benefits. (2)

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

Please encourage them to make an appointment with us!

(517) 627-4547

  1. Haavik, H., Niazi, I. K., Amjad, I., Kumari, N., Ghani, U., Ashfaque, M., Rashid, U., Navid, M. S., Kamavuako, E. N., Pujari, A. N., & Holt, K. (2024). Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care: Broad Impacts on Pain, Mood, Sleep, and Quality of Life. Brain Sciences, 14(11), 1124. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111124
  2. Schalow, P. R., Mayer-Hunt, J., & Alcantara, J. (2023). Observation of Changes in Secretory Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) after Upper Cervical Adjusting Techniques. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. https://www.chiropractic.org/new-study-unveils-relationship-between-chiropractic-care-and-immune-response/