Can a Chiropractor Help With Knee Pain? What You Should Know

Flexion distraction: uses a gently stretch and flex the spine.

Thompson (drop table): a segmented table to assist in an adjustment with a small drop.

Myofascial release and soft tissue therapy: uses manual techniques to address tight, restricted muscle.

There is no “cracking your back into place.” The pop is not always necessary for an adjustment to be effective and the pop is just gas moving in joint fluid.

For back pain patients, chiropractic is definitely worth considering, if you are suffering with persistent or chronic back pain.

For acute and subacute low back pain, the American College of Physicians recommends non-drug therapies first, and spinal manipulation is one of the options listed. A review of the research on spinal manipulation found that, in general, it provides short-term relief for low back pain, and that relief is on par with other common treatments for low back pain such as exercise or physical therapy. The research for chronic back pain is less supportive and, in general, relief is obtained when exercise and movement are incorporated as well.

Will chiropractic help? For general, uncomplicated back and neck pain, yes. This can be helpful to relieve pain and restore range of motion. Results vary from person to person. If, in the process of treatment, there is no improvement after a few weeks, and/or pain is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, unexplained weight loss, numbness in the groin, loss of bowel/bladder control, or weakness of the leg, stop treatment and consult a doctor for further assessment.

Will chiropractic care help with pain other than the back? It can help with neck pain, tension headaches, and some cases of sciatica, as well as some joint pains, e.g., knee, hip and shoulder. The evidence for other conditions is slim. Be wary of any provider that claims that chiropractic care can cure illnesses that are not related to the musculoskeletal system. The evidence for those claims is lacking.

Is Chiropractic Legit?

It’s completely understandable to question things like, “is chiropractic real?” or “are chiropractors legit?” Chiropractic is a legal, regulated, and recognized profession in the U.S. and elsewhere. Practitioners must graduate from an accredited program and then gain their state license by passing local exams.

What’s important to note here is the practice has a range of evidence-based practice with a combination of non-supported ideas. Manipulating the back and neck, or using exercises and education to manage these conditions, has strong research support. Making claims that adjusting a patient’s spine will heal unrelated diseases or that patients must receive periodic adjustments for life is not evidence-based.

When people ask, “do chiropractors really work?” or “does chiropractic work?”, the honest answer is yes, there is a subset of the musculoskeletal conditions where chiropractic works as one of several reasonable options. It works best with a chiropractor who practices within his or her scope, sets goals, and refers to other appropriate healthcare professionals when the situation calls for it.