Current Research Concerning Chiropractic Care - For Acute and Chronic Pain

For Acute and Chronic Pain

Many treatments are available for low back pain. Often people benefit from chiropractic therapy or acupuncture, as well as exercises and physical therapy.

Goodman et al. (2013), Journal of the American Medical Association

"Chiropractic Manipulation Therapy in conjunction with standard medical care offers a significant advantage for decreasing pain and improving physical functioning when compared with only standard care, for men and women between 18-35 years of age with acute low back pain."

Goertz et al. (2013), Spine

"Manual-thrust manipulation provides greater short-term reductions in self-reported disability and pain compared with usual medical care. 94% of the manual-thrust manipulation group achieved greater than 30% reduction in pain compared with 69% of usual medical care."

Schneider et al (2015), Spine

It was also reported that odds of surgery were reduced for those observed, those who first had seen a chiropractor. About 42% of workers with back injuries who first saw a surgeon had surgery, in contrast to only 1.5% of those who saw a chiropractor.

Keeney et al (2012), Spine

For Headaches

It was shown that 6 to 8 sessions of upper cervical and upper thoracic manipulation were more effective than mobilization and exercise in patients with cervicogenic headache, and the positive effects were still present at 3 months.

Dunning et al. (2016) BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

"There was a high dose relationship between spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) visits and days with cervicogenic headache (CGH). For the highest and most effective dose of 18 SMT visits, CGH were reduced by half and about 3 more days per month than for the light-massage control."

Haas et al. (2008) Spine

For Neck Pain

A study funded by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine tested the effectiveness of different approaches for treating mechanical neck pain, 72 participants were divided into three groups that received either spinal manipulative therapy from a Doctor of Chiropractic, pain medication or exercise recommendations.

After 12 weeks about 57 percent of those who met with DC's & 48% who exercised reported at least a 75% reduction in pain, compared to 33% of people who were medicated. The following year 53% of the drug-free groups continued to report at least a 75% reduction in pain; in comparison to 38% pain reduction among those who took medications.

Bronfort et al. (2012), Annals of Internal Medicine

Dealing with Cost Effectiveness

Findings from a study utilizing data from the N Carolina St. Health Plan from 2000-2009 collected data that showed care by a Doctor of Chiropractic alone or chiropractic care in conjunction with a medical doctor created "appreciably fewer charges" for uncomplicated lower back pain than MD with or without care by a physical therapist.

Hurwitz et al. (2016). Journal of Manipulation and Physiological Therapeutics

Older Medicare patients with chronic low back pain and other medical problems who received spinal manipulation from a chiropractic doctor had lower costs of care and shorter episodes of back pain than patients in other treatment groups. Many patients who received both chiropractic care and medical care had some of the lowest Medicare costs. Patients who just received medical care only had the highest medical costs.

Weeks et al (2016). Journal of Manipulation and Physiological Therapeutics

Patients with low back pain initiated with a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine saved 20-40% on health care costs when compared with care in initiated through a medical doctor according to a study that analyzed data from 85,000 BCBS beneficiaries in TN over a 2-year period span. The study population had open access to MD's and DC's through self-referral, and there were no limits applied to the number of MD/DC visits allowed and no differences in co-pays. They concluded that insurance companies that restricted access to chiropractic care for low back pain treatment may inadvertently pay more for care than they would if they removed such restrictions.

Lilliedahl et al (2010) Journal of Manipulation and Physiological Therapeutics

What About Patient Satisfaction

Researchers analyzing the prevalence, patterns and predictors of chiropractic utilization in the US general population found that "Back pain and neck pain were the most prevalent health problems for chiropractic care and the majority of users reported chiropractic helping a great deal with their health problems and improving overall health or well-being."

Adams et al (2017) Spine

From- American Chiropractic Association Site

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