Insight Neuro Chiropractic – If you are experiencing chronic pain from neck, back, and joint injuries, muscle spasms, and other acute or chronic conditions, a non-invasive procedure called manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) could be a safe and effective solution to help you get fast, long-lasting relief. MUA is a proven and widely used procedure that is performed by specially trained chiropractors. Patients who are not responding to conservative treatments, pain medications, and even surgery are often ideal candidates for MUA.
The following is a brief overview of MUA, including how the procedure is performed, benefits patients can expect, and a checklist of conditions that respond successfully to this procedure.
What Is Manipulation Under Anesthesia?
Manipulation under anesthesia is a non-invasive manipulative technique used by specially trained chiropractors. MUA provides rapid relief from chronic pain that is the result of unresolved conditions, including those that are not responding to traditional treatments. It is most commonly used to treat back, neck, and joint problems, including pain and restricted motion.
MUA is effective because it allows the doctor to make chiropractic adjustments without resistance while you are under light sedation. Fibrotic adhesions and internal scar tissue that often forms after injuries or surgeries and causes pain and restricted range of motion are reduced during MUA. This results in an immediate decrease or elimination of pain and discomfort following the procedure, allowing you to enjoy a pain-free life.
Is Manipulation Under Anesthesia Safe?
Manipulation under anesthesia is a very safe and proven treatment method for people experiencing chronic pain that is not responding to conservative treatments. Prior to the procedure, a thorough medical screening is required to determine if the procedure will be effective for your condition and that you are cleared to receive twilight sedation.
Patients are responsive during the procedure and not unconscious. This allows the chiropractor to make adjustments without you feeling pain or discomfort. Once you are sedated and comfortable, the chiropractor will start using a variety of techniques targeting various parts of the body. MUA is not a lengthy procedure and generally only takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Once the procedure is complete and you regain awareness, you will be monitored closely and then allowed to go home the same day. You should begin to notice relief and improved range of motion immediately after the procedure, although it is common to have temporary soreness that is manageable with heat and ice therapy. Depending on your condition and symptoms, it is likely you will need at least two to three MUA treatments to achieve meaningful relief. In order to get the best results, further chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and physical therapy are commonly recommended.
What are the Benefits of Manipulation Under Anesthesia?
There are many benefits to choosing manipulation under anesthesia as a treatment for chronic, untreatable pain. The greatest benefit is the improvement you will experience immediately following the procedure. By releasing fibrotic adhesions and scar tissue in and around joints, as well as stretching muscles, ligaments, and tendons, patients experience noticeable improvements to quality of life. MUA is also safer than surgery, cost effective, and covered by most insurance plans.
Is Manipulation Under Anesthesia Right for My Condition?
There are many conditions that can be treated with manipulation under anesthesia. Patients with the following chronic conditions have found success with MUA:
- Muscle spasms
- Sprains and strains
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Disc pain
- Pinched nerves
- Fibromyalgia
- Loss of movement/motion
Prior to scheduling MUA treatment, your chiropractor will conduct an assessment to determine if the procedure is right for your condition. This includes a thorough review of your medical history, symptoms, and previous treatments that have been unsuccessful in treating your pain. A physical exam and imaging screenings will also be required. Certain conditions, including cancer pain, inflammatory arthritis, osteoporosis, and bone fractures cannot be treated with MUA.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Manipulation under anesthesia can be a life-changing procedure for people living with neck, back, shoulder, and other types of chronic pain. For more information about MUA and to learn if this procedure is right for you, contact the Insight Neuro Chiropractic Center today to schedule an appointment.
FAQ
Q: Is manipulation under anesthesia a new or experimental procedure?
A: No. Manipulation under anesthesia has been practiced since the late 1930s and is a safe, widely used alternative to invasive surgical procedures. There are very few risks associated with MUA and it is only performed by licensed chiropractors specializing in the procedure.
Q: Is manipulation under anesthesia successful for most people?
A: Manipulation under anesthesia has excellent success rates. According to recent research, MUA has an 80-90% success rate in alleviating many forms of chronic pain, including back, leg, and arm pain.
Q: Will I feel any pain during manipulation under anesthesia?
During the procedure, patients will experience a twilight sleep from light sedation and will not feel any pain. Many of the same manipulations you experience during regular visits to the chiropractor are performed during MUA, only with greater intensity.