Research Shows Chiropractic Effective
The effectiveness of chiropractic care has been proven time and time again, by not only anecdotal evidence, but a large body of research. In Connecticut, chiropractors are considered chiropractic physicians, which means they can diagnose and treat the entire body. At this time, according to the ACA or American Chiropractic Association, chiropractors treat about 35 million Americans annually ¹. At our office we treat a variety of conditions that is helped with chiropractic care.
General Lower-Back Pain
Approximately 45% of our patients visit our office because they have either acute or chronic lower-back pain. This pain can be brought on by several mechanisms including auto accidents, repetitive trauma, repetitive motion, stress, sports injuries or work injuries. In addition, there may be a stress or emotional component that can cause back pain.
Several studies have been conducted to determine the efficacy of spinal manipulation ² as a treatment for lower-back pain in general. One of the studies revealed that patients treated by a chiropractor had higher satisfaction than when treated by a medical provider ³
Many, many other studies continue to reveal the efficacy of chiropractic care for back or neck pain. So now, we have proof beyond anecdotal evidence that chiropractic treatment for acute or chronic low back pain is quite effective.
Acute or Chronic Low Back Pain with Chiropractic
In 1994 the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research 4 on acute low-back pain published a study that stated spinal adjustment is one of the most effective treatments for this low back pain. Yet another report from 1994 by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, determined that chiropractic care afforded faster and even greater relief when chiropractic adjustments was used along with exercise. At our office, when ready, we do recommend specific spinal exercises.
In my personal experience, as a chiropractor since 1982, there is no better treatment for low back pain than chiropractic. To put it frankly, chiropractic is the best treatment for lower back pain.
The Dutch Health Insurance Board paid for a study in 1997 that summarized results of a whopping 48 research studies on the benefit of chiropractic care for chronic low back pain. Guess what they determined? Yes you got it right chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy is more beneficial than the medical doctor recommendations of using analgesics, massage or bed rest.
If that weren’t enough, then there were 3 other research studies done by the Silesian Medical School in Poland, the University Hospital in Saskatoon and the University of Calgary that showed the same findings as the study done in Holland.
Neck Pain
Approximately 40% of our patients present with neck pain that was caused by a variety of reasons. The most common cause that we see in our office is due to a whiplash injury that occurs during a car accident. Other reasons for neck pain are work injuries, overuse by looking up constantly (for example a painter) or down constantly as with texting on a cell phone.
The efficacy of chiropractic for neck pain has been well documented in numerous studies that have been done in the USA, and a few other countries. In 1996, researchers from UCLA, and two chiropractic colleges found that chiropractic adjustments were more beneficial that those patients treated by a physical therapist.
Medical doctors practicing at the Welsh National School of Medicine performed a research study to determine the benefit of spinal adjustments for relieving pain in the neck and shoulder. Their findings, that was published in 1983, revealed significant improvement following chiropractic adjustments as well as improved range of motion to the damaged area of the spine.
There is hope for patients with chronic neck pain as well. Following a 12 week course of adjustments to the cervical spine in 1992 during a research study in the Netherlands, patients had better function, along with faster and more improvement, than the control group treated with massage, physical therapy or just exercises.
Chiropractic Care for Headaches
About 15% of our patients present with headache or migraine pain. Many people use OTC medication or medication prescribed by there doctor on a daily basis for headaches. It’s important to consider trying an alternative approach prior to getting on a daily medication.
A study done by a chiropractor, medical doctor and others from Northwestern College of Chiropractic found that following only 4 weeks of chiropractic care, the patients that received chiropractic adjustments to the neck had continued reduction of headaches, compared to a group of patients on medication. 5
Fibromyalgia and Chiropractic Care
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome where the patient has chronic pain and often spasm of muscles in multiple locations in the body. The cause is unknown, an approximately 3 million people in the USA alone may have this condition. At the Chiropractic Center of Bristol, we see many patients with this condition. What we find, is that in many cases, the fibromyalgia began with a prior injury to the neck or back that was not treated properly. Our treatment approach is to combine specific spinal adjustments and certain supplementation for a synergistic and holistic approach.
Although the research is scarce that chiropractic care is effective with fibromyalgia patients, our experience shows that a combination of chiropractic care, supplementation, massage, and stress reduction can aid in improving ranges of motion and for reducing pain.
Our dedicated staff will assess your condition and provide a path to helping your neck pain, back pain, headaches or fibromyalgia. Call today at 860-583-4346. If you prefer, you can fill out the form below and someone will contact you within 24 hours (not including weekends).
¹ Key Facts and Figures About the Chiropractic Profession
² Efficacy of spinal manipulation and mobilization for low back pain and neck pain
4 THE AGENCY ON HEALTH CARE POLICY AND RESEARCH STUDY
By David Spitz DC
