One of the most popular natural remedies in the Western world is chiropractic. It has become quite common for doctors’ advice to include a consultation with a chiropractor should something be out of alignment in the body’s structure. All along the way, questions have arisen about just how safe it is, and, for the most part, chiropractic passes the test. A new study confirms it’s okay for the chest.
Dynamic chest compression occurs during spinal manipulation (a.k.a. chiropractic). This has not, though, been studied during such manipulation. In a new study, researchers analyzed the magnitude of chest compressions during chiropractic manipulation and have found them to be safe when it comes to injuries.
Even maximum chest compression during chiropractic of the spine leading to the brain is unlikely to result in injury, the study says. The study was performed to get a better understanding of the force limits of chiropractic manipulation. This information may lead to safer chiropractic and a drop in the possibility of adverse outcomes.
In the first part, investigators worked with two practicing doctors of chiropractic, each with a minimum of four years of doctoral training and at least seven years of healthcare experience. Using a crash test dummy, they measured the level of chest compression induced during “normal” chiropractic manipulation and during spinal manipulations where maximum effort was exerted. They then performed simulated chiropractic manipulations on the test dummy at the mid-back level.
In the second part, a device was used to apply and measure the forces necessary to induce chest compression in the test dummy. These forces were increased until an injury would be reached should it have been a human.
In the study, manipulations incorporating typical and maximum efforts by the doctors of chiropractic resulted in maximum chest compressions corresponding to minimal risk.
It’s a positive study for all those who gain benefit from visiting a chiropractor, and that is not a small group! Chiropractic remains a key part of alternative health and one that can be very beneficial to a wide array of people.