Research News Staff
New Research Sheds Light on Chiropractic, Spinal Curves and Posture

Chiropractic May Play Important Role

Recent research reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic on a healthy 9-year-old male reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in improving posture and spinal curves.

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“Research is revealing that structural abnormalities of the spine such as hunching or slouching posture and loss of the normal spinal curves can be improved following chiropractic care” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. Other chiropractic researchers have reported on similar results and reviews of the scientific research reveal numerous other studies that have shown a similar connection. 

Research has shown that abnormal spinal alignment and posture also increase stress and strain to the nerve and blood supply of the spinal cord. This can seriously affect the nervous system. It is a rare phenomenon for resolution of spinal structural abnormalities in the absence of intervention. However, there is literature that supports the effectiveness of chiropractic to restore a healthy spinal alignment and posture according to established normal values, thereby lowering the risk of degeneration and poor health. 

“It makes a lot of sense when you think about it” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a researcher, public health expert and editor of the journal that published the study.  Chiropractors work with the alignment and movement of the bones that make up the spine and because of the relationship between the spine, nerves and muscles, structural shifts of the vertebra can create poor posture and no amount of sitting up or standing straight will change that. The structural spinal shifts have to be corrected.” 

The 9-year-old boy in this study did not have any symptoms but his parents were concerned about his posture.  He was always slouching or hunched over.  Although he felt well and had no pain, his posture was not normal.  Following chiropractic care, his posture improved significantly. 

The chiropractor examined him and found decreased range of motion in the lower back, tight muscles, and structural shifts in the spine.  X-rays and other testing confirmed the findings.  These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

Following chiropractic adjustments, he reported improvement in his lower back range of motion and noticed a more normal posture. Follow-up x-rays showed correction of the vertebral subluxations.  The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic
http://www.chiropracticpediatricresearch.com
support@vertebralsubluxationresearch.com
McCoy Press