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Here is some research by the scientific community discussing the benefits of chiropractic care.
Here are some of our affiliations with links to more information on chiropractic care.
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 the University of Ottawa professor Prank Manga, Ph.D. The 216-page report of the study is commonly called 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 suggests potential savings of hundreds
of millions annually,” the Manga Report 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.”
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A four-phase study conducted in the early 1990s 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:
The RAND reports marked the first time that representatives on the medical community went on record stating that spinal manipulation is an appropriate treatment for certain low back pain conditions. [ top of page ]
The New Zealand Commission Report A particularly significant study of chiropractic was conducted between 1978 and 1980 by the New Zealand Commission of Inquiry. In its 377-page report to the House of Representatives, the Commission called its study “probably the most comprehensive and detailed independent examination of chiropractic ever undertaken in any country.” The Commission entered the inquiry with “the general impression…shared by many in the community: that chiropractic was an unscientific cult, not to be compared with orthodox medical or paramedical services.” By the end of the inquiry, the commission reported itself “irresistibly and with complete unanimity drawn to the conclusion that modern chiropractic is a soundly based and valuable branch of health care in a specialized area…” Conclusions of the Commission’s report, based on investigations in New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, stated:
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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.” [ top of page ]
In 1989, a survey administered by Daniel C. Cherkin, Ph.D. and Frederick A. MacCornack, Ph.D. concluded that patients receiving care from health maintenance organizations (HMOs) within the state of Washington were three times as likely to report satisfaction with care from chiropractors as they were with care from other physicians. The patients were also more likely to believe that their chiropractor was concerned about them. [ top of page ]
Utah Workers’ Compensation Study A
workers’ compensation study conducted in Utah by Kelly B. Jarvis,
D.C., Reed B. Phillips, D.C., Ph.D. and Elliot K. Morris, JD, MBA,
compared the cost of chiropractic care to the costs of medical care
for conditions with identical diagnostic codes. Results were reported
in the August 1991 Journal of Occupational Medicine.
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).”
Oregon Workers’ Compensation Study A 1991 repot on a workers’ compensation study conducted in Oregon by Joanne Nyiendo, Ph.D. concluded that the median time loss days (per case) for comparable injuries was 9.0 for patients receiving treatment by a doctor of chiropractic and 11.5 for treatment by a medical doctor.[ top of page ]
A study by Miron Stano, Ph.D. reported in the June 1993 Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics involved 395,641 patients with Neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Results over a two-year period showed that patients who received chiropractic care incurred significantly lower health care costs than did patients treated solely by medical or osteopathic physicians. [ top of page ]
Saskatchewan Clinical Research Following a 1993 study, researchers J. David Cassidy, D.C., Haymo Thiel, D.C., M.S., and W. Kirkaldy-Willis, M.D. of the Back Pain Clinic at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatchewan concluded that “the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation by side posture manipulation is both safe and effective.” [ top of page ]
Wight Study on Recurring Headaches A 1978 study conducted by J.S. Wight, DC and reported in the ACA Journal of Chiropractic indicated that 74.6% of patients with recurring headaches, including migraines, were either cured or experienced reduced headache symptomatology after receiving chiropractic manipulation. [ top of page ]
A 12-month study conducted by P.S. Ebrall, BappSc, and reported in the June 1992 Chiropractic Journal of Australia indicated:
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A 1991 demographic poll conducted by the Gallup Organization revealed that 90% of chiropractic patients felt their treatment was effective; more than 80% were satisfied with that treatment; and nearly 75% felt most of their expectation had been met during their chiropractic visits. [ top of page ]
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.”
A
1992 study conducted by L.G. Schifrin, Ph.D., provided an economic
assessment of mandated health insurance coverage for chiropractic
treatment within the Commonwealth of Virginia. As reported by the
College of William and Mary, and the Medical College of Virginia,
the study indicated that chiropractic provides therapeutic benefits
at economical costs. The report also recommended that chiropractic
be a widely available form of health care.
1992 America Health Policy Report A 1992 review of data from over 2,000,000 users of chiropractic care in the U.S., reported in the Journal of American Health Policy, stated “chiropractic users tend to have substantially lower total health care costs,” and “chiropractic care reduces the use of both physician and hospital care.” [ top of page ]
1985 University of Saskatchewan Study In 1985 the University of Saskatchewan conducted a study of 283 patients “who had not responded to previous conservative or operative treatment” and who were initially classified as totally disabled. The study revealed that “81%…became symptom free or achieved a state of mild intermittent pain with no work restrictions” after daily spinal manipulations were administered. [ top of page ] |
