About Chiropractic at Dr. Henry's office in Greenville, SC
Learn more about the chiropractic services available at our office

Dr. Henry and staff helped me get back to the activities I enjoy. Mike Cantarella
Chiropractic adjustments (AKA spinal manipulation)
- Full Spine Diversified Chiropractic Technique
- Palmer / Sherman Upper Cervical Chiropractic
- Gonstead Chiropractic Technique
- Thompson (drop table) Chiropractic Technique
- Sacro-occipital Technique
- Activator Chiropractic
- Trigger Point Therapy / Soft Tissue Manipulation
- Extremity Chiropractic Adjustments
- Myofascial Disruption Technique
Therapeutic Modalities
- Superficial heat (hydrocollator / moist hot packs)
- Cryotherapy (cold packs, ice massage)
- Ultrasound (deep heat therapy)
- Electrical stimulation - Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), interferential)
- Mechanical traction (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, intersegmental)
- Low-Level Laser Therapy (AKA Cold Laser)
- Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression
Therapeutic Procedures
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Myofascial Release
- Exercises to improve flexibility, strength, range of motion and endurance
- Elastic band and stability ball exercises
- Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
- Stability ball exercises
Durable Medical Equipment and Home Therapeutic Products
- Custom orthotics
- Home TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) units
- Back braces
- Kinesiology taping
- Custom cervical pillows
- Reusable hot / cold packs
- Biofreeze for topical pain relief

Chiropractic work has been a driving force in keeping me as strong and healthy as when I was 18! Just like cars and houses require regular upkeep, so does the body! David Close, engineer and UFC Gym martial arts instructor: judo & Brazilian jiu-jitsu

I avoided surgery. The key is to be persistent. Jason Shenton
Definitions of Chiropractic
"Chiropractic" is defined as that science and art which utilizes the inherent recuperative powers of the body and deals with the relationship between the nervous system and the spinal column, including its immediate articulations and the role of this relationship in the restoration and maintenance of health.
South Carolina Code of Laws SECTION 40-9-10 (a)
A health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation.
WFC Dictionary Definition, World Federation of Chiropractic, 2001
A health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. There is an emphasis on manual techniques, including joint adjustment and/or manipulation with a particular focus on subluxations.
The WHO definition, World Health Organization, Guidelines on Chiropractic, 2005
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Doctors of Chiropractic, often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians, practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.
American Chiropractic Association
Research Studies
Study Suggests Try Chiropractic First to Avoid Back Surgery
It has been estimated that low back pain affects 80% of Americans and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Back injuries are the #1 occupational injury in the U.S.A. When choosing a physician to help with back pain who you see first can make a big difference. A study by Keeney and colleagues, published in the medical journal Spine in 2013 using a sample of 1,885 injured workers in Washington state found that of those who saw a surgeon first 42.7% ended up having back surgery. Of those who saw a chiropractor first 1.5% had back surgery and nothing was lost by trying chiropractic first. The chiropractic physician is an expert on the non-surgical care of the spine. A good chiropractor will evaluate whether there are any "red flags" for serious conditions that require an immediate referral. Most of the time it makes sense to try conservative chiropractic care before considering more invasive options. Chiropractic care is very cost-effective compared to the costs and risks of more invasive medical options. Most insurance covers at least some chiropractic services. If for some reason Dr. Henry can't help you, he will refer you to the appropriate specialist (for example, pain management, orthopedic or neurosurgeon).
Reference: Keeney BJ, Fulton-Kehoe D, Turner JA, Wickizer TM, Chan KC, Franklin GM. Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of workers in Washington State. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 May 15;38(11):953-64. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182814ed5.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Requires Patients Try Chiropractic Before Surgery for Chronic Low Back Pain
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health Plan (UPMC) requires patients to try conservative care, including a 3 month course of chiropractic, physical therapy and medication, before considering surgery for chronic lower back pain. The UPMC HMO is associated with the University's medical school and came up with the guidelines after considering the scientific evidence and review by medical experts.
"It is the policy of UPMC Health Plan to recognize chiropractic services and adjunctive procedures as appropriate and consistent with good medical practice"
"To be considered for surgery, patients with chronic low back pain must have: Tried and failed a 3-month course of conservative management that included physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, and medication. Graduated from UPMC Health Plan's Low Back Pain health coaching program." UPMC Health Plan policy
Chiropractic More Effective than Other Treatments and Highly Cost-Effective for Neck and Low Back Pain
A study by Niteesh Choudhry, MD, PhD of Harvard Medical School and Arnold Milstein, MD, MPH of Mercer Health Benefits (and subsequently of Stanford) investigated chiropractic care for neck and low back pain. The study was commissioned by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress with the following findings:
- Chiropractic care is widely used, with nearly half of chronic back pain sufferers consulting a chiropractic physician.
- Chiropractic care was found to be more effective than other treatment modalities for neck and low back pain and "highly cost-effective".
- Chiropractic combined with other modalities, notably exercise, was most effective and better than exercise alone.
- Chiropractic physicians care represents a good value compared to medical physicians and adding chiropractic covergae to insurance plans may help reduce healthcare costs.
Chiropractic Facts
- 100% of NFL teams have a team chiropractor
- The U.S. Olympic Team is under the care of doctors of chiropractic
- Spinal manipulation (the primary treatment provided by chiropractors) for acute low back pain has been shown to equivalent or superior when compared to medication, physical modalities, education and exercise over the short, intermediate, and long term. (Dagenais et al)
- Chiropractic reduces the need for back surgery
- Care provided by chiropractic physicians reduces healthcare costs
- Chiropractic care for neck and back pain has been rated higher in patient satisfaction than medical care
- Chiropractic treatment gets injured workers back to work quicker
- Chiropractic has been a licensed health profession in South Carolina since 1932 and North Carolina since 1917
- The South Carolina Attorney General (currently our governor) opined that chiropractic constitutes the limited practice of medicine
- The governor of South Carolina has made October "Spinal Health Month" in recognition of the contribution of doctors of chiropractic to public health
- Doctors of chiropractic are recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Joint Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs
- Services provided by chiropractic physicians are covered by the vast majority of insurance plans
- Chiropractors are considered "Essential healthcare" during the COVID-19 pandemic
References
- National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) www.NBCE.org.
- South Carolina Chiropractic Association (SCCA) www.scchiropractic.org.
- Weigel PA, Hockenberry JM, Wolinsky FD. Chiropractic use in the medicare population: prevalence, patterns, and associations with 1-year changes in health and satisfaction with care. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2014 Oct;37(8):542-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2014.08.003. Epub 2014 Sep 16.
- Leininger BD1, Evans R2, Bronfort G3. Exploring patient satisfaction: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of spinal manipulation, home exercise, and medication for acute and subacute neck pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2014 Oct;37(8):593-601. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2014.08.005. Epub 2014 Sep 8.
- Dagenais S1, Gay RE, Tricco AC, Freeman MD, Mayer JM. Spine J. NASS Contemporary Concepts in Spine Care: spinal manipulation therapy for acute low back pain. 2010 Oct;10(10):918-40. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2010.07.389.