Chiropractic Studies

"...spinal manipulation applied by chiropractors is shown to be more effective than alternative treatment for low-back pain"– The Magna Study

The effectiveness of chiropractic has been repeatedly documented in studies from such groups as the AHCPR (Agency for Health Care Policy and Research;1994), Ontario Ministry of health (Magna;1993), Rand Corporation amongst others. It is widely accepted by insurance companies.

• U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY REPORT
  A study published by the U.S. 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 convinced 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 MAGNA 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 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 Magna, Ph.D. The report of the study is commonly called the Magna Report. The Magna 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 Magna 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 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 conducted in the early 1990's 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 of chiropractic, found that:
  • chiropractors deliver a substantial amount of health care of 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.

• WASHINGTON HMO STUDY
  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 organization (HMOs) within the state of Washington were three times as likely to report satisfaction with care from chiropractors as they were also more likely to believe that their chiropractor was concerned about them.
• STANO COST COMPARISON STUDY
  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 that did patients treated solely by medical or osteopathic physicians.
• SAKATCHEWAN CLINICAL RESEARCH
  Following a 1993 study, researchers J. David Cassidy, 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 disk herniation by side posture manipulation is both safe and effective."
• WIGHT STUDY ON RECURRING HEADACHES
  A 1978 study conducted by J.S. Wight, D.C., 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.
• 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.
• VIRGINIA COMPARATIVE STUDY
  A 1992 study conducted by L.G. Schifrin, Ph.D., provided an economic assessment of mandated health insurance coverage for chiropractic treatment within the Common- wealth 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 UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN STUDY
  In 1985 the University of Sakatchewan 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 who no work restrictions" after daily spinal manipulations were administered.
• 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 the 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 findings 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.