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Studies on Chiropractic

The literature is replete with examples of how Chiropractic is beneficial for a wide range of health problems.  The following is just a sampling of some of the landmark studies that everyone should read (especially those who still doubt what Chiropractic can do).

U.S. Government Agency Report

1994 study published by the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorses spinal manipulation for acute low back pain in adults in its Clinical Practice Guideline #14. An independent multidisciplinary panel of private-sector clinicians and other experts convened and developed specific statements on appropriate health care of acute low back problems in adults. One statement cited, relief of discomfort (low back pain) can be accomplished most safely with spinal manipulation, and/or nonprescription medication.

The Manga Report

A major study to assess the most appropriate use of available health care resources was reported in 1993. This was an outcomes study funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and conducted in hopes of sharing information about ways to reduce the incidence of work-related injuries and to address cost-effective ways to rehabilitate disabled and injured workers. The study was conducted by three health economists led by University of Ottawa Professor Pran Manga, Ph.D. The report of the study is commonly call the Manga Report. The Manga Report overwhelmingly supported the efficacy, safety, scientific validity, and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic for low back pain. Additionally, it found that higher patient satisfaction levels were associated with chiropractic care than with medical treatment alternatives. “Evidence from Canada and other countries suggest potential savings of hundreds of millions annually,” the Manga Reports states. “The literature clearly and consistently shows that the major savings from chiropractic management come from fewer and lower costs of auxiliary services, fewer hospitalizations, and a highly significant reduction in chronic problems, as well as in levels and duration of disability.

Rand Study on Low Back Pain

A four-phase study conducted in the early 1900s by RAND, one of America’s most prestigious centers for research in public policy, science and technology, explored many indications of low back pain.  In the RAND studies, an expert panel of researchers, including medical doctors and doctors of chiropractic, found that:

—chiropractors deliver a substantial amount of health care to the U.S. population.

—spinal manipulation is of benefit to some patients with acute low back pain.

The RAND reports marked the first time that representatives of the medical community went on record stating that spinal manipulation is an appropriate treatment for certain low back pain conditions.

Florida Workers' Compensation Study

A 1988 study of 10,652 Florida workers’ compensation cases was conducted by Steve Wolk Ph.D., and reported by the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research. It was concluded that “a claimant with a back related injury, when initially treated by a chiropractor versus a medical doctor, is less likely to become temporarily disabled, or if disabled, remains disabled for a shorter period of time; and claimants treated by medical doctors were hospitalized at a much higher rate than claimants treated by chiropractors.”

Patient Disability Comparison

A 1992 article in the Journal of Family Practice reported a study by D.C. Cherkin, Ph.D., which compared patients of family physicians and of chiropractors. The article stated, “the number of days of disability for patients seen by family physicians was significantly higher (mean 39.7) than for patients managed by chiropractors (mean 10.8).” A related editorial in the same issue referred to risks of complications from lumbar manipulation as being “very low.”

2003 British Medical Journal Report

In the April 26 issue of the British Medical Journal, a study was published that proved manual therapy is a cost-effective method for relieving neck pain.  The study found that:  "Manual therapy is more effective and less costly than physiotherapy or care by a general practitioner for treating neck pain.  Korthals de Bos and colleagues conducted an economic evaluation comparing the cost effectiveness of three different treatments for patients with neck pain.  After 26 weeks, patients having manual therapy had higher recovery rates than those having physiotherapy or being cared for by a general practitioner, but these rates were similar after 52 weeks.  Total costs in the manual therapy group were around a third of the costs in the other two groups."

1990 British Medical Journal Report

A study conducted by T.W. Meade, a medical doctor, and reported in the June 2, 1990, British Medical Journal concluded after two years of patient monitoring, “for patients with low back pain in whom manipulation is not contraindicated, chiropractic almost certainly confers worthwhile, long term benefit in comparison with hospital outpatient management.”

Landmark Legal Decision Supports Chiropractic

Further validation of chiropractic care evolved from an antitrust suit which was filed by four members of the chiropractic profession against the American Medical Association (AMA) and a number of other health care organizations in the U.S. (Wilk et al v. AMA et al, 1990). Following 11 years of litigation, a federal appellate court judge upheld a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Getzendanner that the AMA had engaged in a “lengthy, systematic, successful and unlawful boycott” designed to restrict cooperation between MDs and chiropractors in order to eliminate the profession of chiropractic as a competitor in the U.S. health care system. Judge Getzendanner rejected AMA’s patient care defense, and cited scientific studies which implied that “chiropractic care was twice as effective as medical care in relieving many painful conditions of the neck and back as well as related musculo-skeletal problems.” Since the court’s finding and conclusions were released, an increasing number of medical doctors, hospitals, and health care organizations in the U.S. have begun to include the services of chiropractors.

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