No Pain or Symptoms? Still Need Chiropractic?

No Pain or Symptoms? Still Need Chiropractic? Research Says Yes and Here’s Why…




Chiropractors have taught the public for decades that abnormal spinal health does not always lead to immediate symptoms. And there is a need for asymptotic individuals to have a spinal exam and assessment even though pain or symptoms may not be present. In fact, months to years of spinal damage can occur without an adult or child experiencing any pain, signs, or symptoms. This study proves the significance of that message. Many different measurements were examined of more than 3,000 people both symptomatic and asymptomatic. This is an example of why many spinal problems, like cavities or high blood pressure, can be present without pain. The results were as follows: 

 • The authors evaluated spinal MRI findings in 3,097 subjects under the age of 50 

 • 39% of the subjects were asymptomatic and 61% were symptomatic. 

 • The authors did conclude that spinal degenerative changes did occur more frequently in symptomatic versus asymptomatic subjects. (not a surprising finding) 

 • MRI findings assessed included disc bulge, disc degeneration, disc extrusion, disc protrusion, disc annular fissures, central canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spondylolysis.

 • The study found that nearly 20% of asymptomatic subjects 50 years of age or younger had disc protrusions. 

 • Disc degeneration was also found at a very high prevalence in asymptomatic individuals, ranging from 30% to 95%, depending on the age group. 

 • 30% of subjects had disc degeneration with no symptoms increasing up to 95% of age populations having disc degeneration in the absence of symptoms! 

 This is excellent evidence verifying the importance of chiropractic care regardless of symptoms. Many parts, functions, and processes in the body cannot be felt. Consistent check-ups and teeth cleaning at the dentist, health physicals with the family physician, stress tests with the cardiologist, and cancer screenings are recommended because many health challenges and disease processes will occur with no signs or symptoms. Regular spinal check-ups and adjustments with the chiropractor are no different. One of the greatest benefits of chiropractic is that it need not only be utilise when pain or symptoms are present. This study helps to support the reason why many asymptomatic patients experience the benefits of chiropractic beyond back and neck pain relief. 
(Info extracted from the American Journal of Neuroradiology called, “MRI Findings of Disc Degeneration are More Prevalent in Adults with Low Back Pain than in Asymptomatic Controls.”)

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