Research Papers Supporting Chiropractic Care

By Dr. Paul Calladine (Chiro)

One of my jobs as a Chiropractic here at Lyons Road Family Chiropractic is to pass on as much chiropractic information as possible to both my patients and the wider community. There is an ever-growing body of publicly accessible, scientific literature from which to review and share the many benefits of chiropractic care. From clinical trials to retrospective studies and public health guidelines, chiropractors can draw on a vast body of evidence-based research for the work they do and the care they provide to their patients.

Fortunately, my profession is currently experiencing worldwide growth and a broad public acceptance of its scientific background and health benefits. Not only is the chiropractic profession in a state of growth, it’s generally accepted as a popular form of primary health care.

In continuing to promote chiropractic care benefits to the community, the team here at Lyons Road Family Chiropractic have diligently compiled our top 5 research developments that are open to further investigation and questioning.

This study (Sarnat et al) looked at clinical utilisation and cost outcomes when primary care physicians were mainly chiropractors. Using a non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical approach, and when compared with conventional medicine, this study demonstrated reductions in both clinical and cost utilisation.

Key results: “Clinical and cost utilisation based on 70,274 member-months over a 7-year period demonstrated decreases of 60.2% in-hospital admissions, 59.0% hospital days, 62.0% outpatient surgeries and procedures, and 85% pharmaceutical costs when compared with conventional medicine".

This study (Bakris et al) looked at the association between misalignments in the region of the neck containing the ‘atlas’ vertebrae (the atlas bone is the first of seven neck vertebrae and it supports the weight of the skull) and the interruption of arterial blood supply and increased blood pressure. Within the context of this ‘pilot study’, does correcting a mal-alignment of the atlas vertebra reduce and maintain a lower BP? The study found differences in systolic blood pressure (-17+/-9 mm Hg, NUCCA versus -3+/-11 mm Hg, placebo; P<0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (-10+/-11 mm Hg, NUCCA versus -2+/-7 mm Hg; P=0.002).

This study concluded “that restoration of atlas alignment is associated with marked and sustained reductions in BP similar to the use of two-drug combination therapy.”

This literature review (Hannan SM) set out to document, in asymptomatic individuals, objectively measured physiologic changes and associated health benefits after chiropractic adjustments.

“The data reviewed lend support to the contention that chiropractic adjustments, often for the purpose of correcting vertebral subluxation, confer measurable health benefits to people regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. A significant amount of preliminary evidence supports that people without symptoms can benefit from chiropractic care. Improved function can be objectively measured in asymptomatic individuals following chiropractic care in a number of body systems often by relatively non-invasive means. It is plausible that chiropractic care may be of benefit to every function of the body and have the potential for long-term, overall health benefit to those receiving chiropractic care".

In this study (Keeney et al), predictions on patients receiving lumbar spine surgery were examined across several variables including those patients seeing a surgeon or chiropractor as first provider for the injury.

“Reduced odds of surgery were observed for those younger than 35 years, females, Hispanics, and those whose first provider was a chiropractor. Approximately 42.7% of workers who first saw a surgeon had surgery, in contrast to only 1.5% of those who saw a chiropractor.”

This page (Chiro Org) links to ten studies or guidelines that demonstrate the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care for common musculoskeletal problems compared to other competing methods. From reducing national health costs, to providing highly effective health outcomes to the development of clinical practice guidelines, the evidence in this regard is looks promising and demonstrates some benefits to patient health and public economy.

References

1) Sarnat RL, Winterstein J, Cambron JA, (2007). ‘Clinical utilization and cost outcomes from an integrative medicine independent physician association: an additional 3-year update.’ J Manipulative Physiol Ther. May;30(4):263-9. Accessed August 2016 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17509435

2) Bakris G, Dickholtz M Sr, Meyer PM, Kravitz G, Avery E, Miller M, Brown J, Woodfield C, Bell B, (2007). ‘Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study.’ J Hum Hypertens. May;21(5):347-52. Epub 2007 Mar 2. Accessed August 2016 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=dickholtz+hypertension

3) Hannon SM, (2004). ‘Objective physiologic changes and associated health benefits of chiropractic adjustments in asymptomatic subjects: A review of the literature.’ Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research April, Pages 1-9.

http://vertebralsubluxation.sharepoint.com/Pages/2004_1043_hannon.aspx

4) Keeney BJ, Fulton-Kehoe D, Turner JA, Wickizer TM, Chan KC, Franklin GM, (2013). ‘Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of workers in Washington State.’ Spine (Phila Pa 1976). May 15;38(11):953-64. Access August 2016 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23238486

5) ‘Chiropractic Cost-Effectiveness’ Chiro Org. Access August 2016 http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/ABSTRACTS/Chiropractic_Cost-Effectiveness.shtml