The effect of manual therapy (chiropractic adjustment) and exercise on respiratory function

Summary

The article selected was a clinical trial that was conducted at Macquire University in Australia in the universities academic chiropractic clinic. According to the author, the occurrence of respiratory dysfunction in the healthy population is significantly higher than it is believed to be, and these can lead to more significant respiratory disorders later in life. The early diagnosis and treatment of the early stages of respiratory disorders may be useful in preventing more significant respiratory disorders later in life. The study was designed to study the effects of exercise and manual therapy on the treatment of early stages of respiratory disorders. The study utilized 20 healthy individuals, who were divided into 4 groups: an exercise only group, a manual therapy group, a manual therapy and exercise group and a control group. The three treatment groups had the Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and the Forced Expiratory Capacity in the first second (FEC₁) measured pre- and post-treatment for a course of 6 treatment sessions, while the control group had the same measurements taken at the same intervals. The results showed that the exercise only group saw a decrease in the FCV and FEC₁, the manual therapy only group saw a significant increase in FCV and FEC₁, the manual therapy and and exercise group saw an increase after manual therapy (which was the first treatment each session) and another mild increase after exercise (which was the second treatment each session), the control group saw no significant changes.

Critique

This article was very interesting as it clearly indicates the potential effects of manual therapy on respiratory function. Granted that this study was the first to look at the effect of manual therapy on respiratory function, and the group was perhaps smaller than ideal (although was large enough to prove to be statistically significant), it still showed the potential for manual therapy to be a good therapy for the treatment of the early stages of respiratory disorders. It is also important to note that the exercise post manual therapy group saw double increase in respiratory function, because statistically many of the active Chiropractors are providing their patients with exercise advice as well as performing manual therapies. The study indicates the need for further research into the matter to see if manual therapy is the ideal treatment for early stage respiratory dysfunction, as well as the potential impacts on pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Chiropractic Health Care: Wellness Care

Hello and welcome to my blog. This blog is meant to explain what Chiropractic health care can do for you and your family. I will present information as I progress through my education in a Doctor of Chiropractic program at Palmer College of Chiropractic. I feel it is fitting that the first post here be a broad topic over how Chiropractic works and the philosophy of a Chiropractic Lifestyle.

Chiropractic is an alternative approach from the medical model of health-care. The Marriam-Webster Medical Dictionary defines health as "freedom from physical disease and pain". However, Chiropractic philosophy strives for people to be more than simply free of disease; Chiropractic strives for wellness in people. Wellness can best be described as "an approach to health-care that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases" (dictionary.com). Chiropractors help patients to maintain their state of wellness through adjustments that are frequently, but not solely, to the spine, as well as through nutritional, dietary, and exercise advice.

The human body is a complex interrelated unit that is controlled by the nervous system which includes our brain, brainstem, and the nerves running throughout the body. All of the functions of the human body are regulated by the nervous system and unfortunately there are times when the nervous system can become compromised and less able to work effectively. Take for example when we are sick: when we catch a cold, many things start happening in our bodies, all of which lead to our immune system responding and killing the cold virus that has invaded our system. The nervous system plays a very important role in immune response, and if the nervous system somehow becomes compromised, and therefore less able to achieve its goals, then the body will not develop a very strong immune response and a person will be sick for longer. This type of situation is in all of our body processes and responses, and as a result the integrity of the nervous system is critical to the maintenance of wellness.

When you visit a Chiropractor, the purpose of an adjustment is to remove anything that may be compromising the nervous system. Take for example the spine which houses our spinal cord: if a bone has been moved out of its natural alignment, then it is possible that the nerves could be compromised, and it will not be as able to transmit its signals as well. However, once the compromise is removed by a Chiropractic adjustment, the nervous system is able to send signals at its strongest. After an adjustment the body is able to naturally maintain its optimum level of health and allow the person to lead a life of wellness.

These are the fundamentals of how Chiropractic works, and what Chiropractic philosophy is about: Wellness care.