Chiropractic Research: Recent Studies

Chiropractic health care offers patients the advantages of a conservative, natural method of healing without the use of drugs or surgery. The primary form of treatment is spinal manipulation or adjustment. For almost 100 years, patients have benefited from chiropractic treatment. Recently, numerous studies have been published that support its effectiveness.

Browse through the areas of research below, and take time to read the results of the studies that interest you.

Chiropractic's Efficacy:

Only about 15 percent of all medical interventions are supported by solid scientific evidence, according to David M. Eddy, M.D., Ph.D., professor of health policy and management at Duke University, North Carolina.

In contrast, the breadth of existing research dedicated to chiropractic was noted by Paul G. Shekelle, M.D., MPH, of the BAND Corporation, on ABC's 20/20 when he said, "There are considerably more randomized controlled trials which show benefit of this (chiropractic) than there are for many, many other things which physicians and neurosurgeons do all the time."

Article Titles – Click on a title to view the article.

» Members of the Medical Community Recognize Chiropractic's Effectiveness
» Chiropractic Offers Long-Term Benefits
» Improvement with Chiropractic Longer Lasting with Fewer Visits Than » Physical Therapy
» 50-Year History of Chiropractic Effectiveness
» Chiropractic Is Effective For Uncomplicated, Acute Low-Back Pain  

Chiropractic's Cost Effectiveness:

The escalating cost of occupational low-back injuries reflect a growing legal, health care, and economic crisis in the United States. Cost estimates vary from $5 billion to $30 billion annually.

These staggering costs have compelled insurance companies, legislators, and policy makers to investigate cost-containment strategies.

Studies have shown chiropractic to be a more cost-effective method of treating a number of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. The volume of evidence now being compiled makes a compelling case for the use of chiropractic as a means of controlling escalating costs in our overburdened health care system.

Article Titles – Click on a title to view the article.

» Fewer Work Days Lost With Chiropractic Management
» Lower Compensation Costs And Fewer Work Days Lost With Chiropractic Care
» Shorter Disability and Lower Related Costs for Chiropractic Patients
» Economist Concludes Mandated Insurance For Chiropractic Is Cost Effective
» Chiropractic May Be First Choice For Several Low-Back Conditions

Patient Satisfaction

Patient satisfaction has long been an indicator of the effectiveness of chiropractic health care. Now, hard evidence is being published that attests to the fact.

Article Titles – Click on a title to view the article.

» Nine Out Of Ten Find Chiropractic Treatment Effective
» Chiropractic Patients More Satisfied than Physicians Patients
» Comprehensive Database of 2 Million Chiropractic Patients Encourages Future Research

The Future of Chiropractic:

The commitment of the chiropractic profession to scientific research is forgoing the future of chiropractic. Clinical trials funded by the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) are now taking place that compare the results of chiropractic treatment to traditional pharmaceutical treatment of both tension and migraine headaches. A pilot study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (June 1992) suggests that chiropractic adjustments may be effective in treating menstrual pain without the side effects of drugs. To evaluate these preliminary findings, a full scale clinical trial is now being prepared. Continuing research opens the possibility of broader applications for chiropractic care.

The Chiropractic Profession is On The Cutting Edge of Progressive Health Care Reform

Recognizing the need to promote only those health care services of value and efficiency, last year, the chiropractic profession convened a consensus conference to develop guidelines for quality assurance and practice parameters. The resulting document - known as the "Mercy Center guidelines" - demonstrates the profession's commitment to quality assurance, appropriateness of care and utilization review-all concerns of policy makers involved in the health care reform debate. The Mercy Center document has been distributed to the entire chiropractic community, insurance companies and a variety of health care consultants and academicians.