It is well known that chiropractic treats new injuries and old ones. But, does chiropractic treat chronic pain?
What is chronic pain? How does chiropractic treat it? Is the treatment different from the treatment of new injuries?

To answer these questions first we must understand that pain is a message from the body carried to the brain by nerves. The brain interprets this message and we feel pain.

The chiropractor treats chronic pain very successfully and sometimes even with better results than in acute pain. Acute or new pain is usually caused by inflammation of some kind. Sometimes very slight but in the right place it can be excruciating. When the pain is there for a long time the body will absorb some of the swelling, but then, the pain is now chronic, or does not go away. Sometimes daily activities can become impossible. This can be because any movement of the body adds swelling. This sets up a cycle where the body begins to develop arthritis and degeneration due to the poor mechanics of the unhealthy muscles and joints. Chronic physical pressure causes additional irritation to the nerves and slight localized swelling, even after a long time there still seems to be some swelling.

The chiropractor treats this in two ways. One: by removing any pressure off the nerves caused by the pinching of bones. Two: by improving poor mobility of the bones that cause a pinching of the joints. The chiropractor treats this by making an adjustment. Chiropractic is very successful in treating chronic pain. The chiropractor can evaluate the mechanics as well as any dysfunction that has occurred from any degeneration (wear and tear). He can also start the patient on pain removing exercises.

The patient with chronic pain must change his expectations. The results that occur with chiropractic and chronic pain are not as quick as with acute pain. A chronic pain patient will require more treatment for a longer period of time. The rule of thumb is one month of treatment for every year of pain. Although, sometimes the pain is relieved much sooner.
In my experience chiropractic offers pain relief not found with other methods.