IS CHIROPRACTIC SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO WORK?

The Chiropractic profession has always relied on clinical research and experimentation. As we approach the 21st century, Chiropractic research is occurring around the world. Here are a sampling of some of the most noteworthy research studies conducted since 1980.

WASHINGTON STUDY

J.S Wright D.C, conducted a study and reported to the Journal of Chiropractic that 74.6% of patients with recurring headaches, including migraines, were either cured or experienced reduced headache symptoms after receiving Chiropractic adjustments. Daniel C. Cherkin, PhD and Frederick A. MacCormack, PhD. conducted a survey in 1989 that concluded that patients who were receiving care from health maintenance organisations in Washington State were 3 times as likely to report satisfaction with Chiropractic care as they were from other physicians. The patients also reported they believed that their Chiropractor was concerned about their welfare.

THE MANGA REPORT

The Manga report, form the University of Ottawa, Canada reviewed all the international evidence on the management and cost of low back pain care. Pran Manga, PhD. concluded that significant cost savings would occur if the management of low back pain were transferred from physicians to Chiropractors. He determined that Chiropractic is safer than medical management of low back pain. “Many medical therapies are of questionable validity or are dearly inadequate. Chiropractic care is greatly superior to medical treatment in terms of scientific validity, safety, cost effectiveness and patient satisfaction.” Dr. Manga concluded that “Chiropractic should be fully insured (and) fully integrated into the Ontario health care system”.

THE BRITISH MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

The British Medical Research Council documented a 10 year study which compared Chiropractic and hospital out-patient management of 72 patients with acute and chronic mechanical low back pain. The results showed that Chiropractic care was significantly more effective than medical treatment for patients with chronic and severe low back pain. Furthermore, these results were long-term and remained consistent throughout the 2 year follow-up period. Chiropractic was also shown to save the British more than 10 million pounds a year by having hospital out-patient with low back pain under Chiropractic care.

NEW ZEALAND STUDY

These findings reinforced the conclusions of the New Zealand Report (377 pages) which was one of the most thorough and positive studies of Chiropractic care on record. The 20 month project was conducted by a government commission.

It concluded that spinal adjusting is a vital, very safe and a clinically effective form of health care. Chiropractors have more thorough training in spinal mechanics and spinal care than any other health profession. Furthermore, Chiropractic is scientifically based and must be made an integral part of all hospital care. Finally, the report said that “modern Chiropractic is a soundly based and valuable branch of health care in a specialised area neglected by the medical profession”.

OREGAN STUDY

In 1991, Joanne Nyienda, PhD, conducted a worker’s compensation study in Oregon. She concluded that the median time loss in days for comparable injuries on any case was 9 days for patients who received Chiropractic care as compared to 11.5 days for those who received medical treatment.

SASKATCHUWAN HOSPITAL STUDY

In 1993, researchers at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatchewan concluded that “the care of lumbar intervertebral disk herniation by side posture adjustments is both safe and effective”. The researchers involved in the report, J David Cassidy, DC, Haymo Thieli, DC;MS, and W. Kirkaldy-Willis, MD are all on staff at the hospitals’ back pain clinic.

THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL

Reported in June 2, 1990 issue that T.W. Meade, MD studied patients over a 2 year period. Dr Meade found that “for patients with low back pain in whom spinal adjustments are not contraindicated, Chiropractic almost certainly confers worthwhile, long term benefit in comparison with hospital outpatient management.”

NEVADA WORKER’S COMPENSATION STUDY

The State Industrial Insurance Systems in Nevada, USA compared the average medical and Chiropractic care for patients who suffered industrial injuries from 1988-1990. The results showed that 24.4% were back injuries but they accounted for more than 50% of all medical costs. Over the 3 year period, the average medical cost per patient was $2414 which was 260% higher than the average Chiropractic cost per patient of $892. Loss of work time under Chiropractic care is less than one third that for medical care. Furthermore, injured workers are able to continue working while receiving Chiropractic care which may not be an option for medical care patients who are advised to have bed rest and medication. The Nevada Worker’s Compensation Study emphasised that Chiropractic eliminates the concern and expense of inappropriate hospitalisation, unnecessary surgery, improper use of medication including the high dose of narcotic painkillers.

One clear message from all these studies is that Chiropractic remains a cost effective and efficient method of healing that is, in many instances, equal or superior to medical care. The studies, which have often been conducted by state health or workers compensation agencies, have shown that Chiropractic if often less expensive, significantly reduced the time away from work and often eliminates the dangers of drugs and surgery.

Tags: Chiropractic evidence, Chiropractic research, Chiropractor Perth, headaches, Migraines, safety, Workers compensation