Research in Chiropractic

The Effectiveness of Chiropractic According to the UK Evidence Report

The 2010 “UK Evidence Report” assesses the effectiveness of manual therapies, including chiropractic, for a variety of conditions. Spinal manipulation and mobilisation have been found to be effective for acute, subacute and chronic low back pain as well as migraines and cervicogenic headaches. For neck pain, thoracic manipulation and mobilisation are effective, while manipulation and mobilisation also have positive effects for joint diseases of the extremities. Most side effects of manual therapies are musculoskeletal, of short duration and of mild to moderate severity. The study concludes that manual therapies, including chiropractic, are effective for specific musculoskeletal disorders, particularly low back pain, headache, and neck pain. The report highlights the importance of evidence-based care and the role of chiropractic as an effective treatment option for certain conditions. (Bronfort et al. (2010) Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report. Chiropractor Osteopath.)

Chiropractic: A Cost-Effective Choice for Spine-Related Pain

A 2024 systematic review highlights the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic for spine-related musculoskeletal pain. Patients who choose chiropractic as their primary care option experience significantly lower healthcare costs thanks to reduced use of expensive interventions such as surgeries, opioids, hospitalisations, and specialist referrals. This underlines the value of chiropractic as an affordable and effective alternative to traditional medical treatments. While further research is encouraged, the findings suggest that chiropractic not only helps patients but also contributes to cost savings in healthcare. (Farabaugh et al. (2024), Chiropractic & Manual Therapies)

Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Recommended Treatment for Neck and Lower Back Pain

A 2021 review shows that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), commonly used by chiropractors, is effective for treating neck and lower back pain. SMT is as effective as standard medical care or physical therapy and is recommended in clinical guidelines as a first-line treatment, often in combination with exercise therapy. The findings highlight the value of SMT as a safe and effective intervention for spine pain. While further research is encouraged to confirm the specific benefits, current evidence underlines the important role of chiropractic in modern health care. (Gevers-Montoro et al. (2021), Frontiers in Pain Research)

Evidence-Based Practice: The Future of Chiropractic Care

A 2012 article highlights the growing influence of evidence-based practice (EBP) in chiropractic care. By reinforcing educational programs with research and EBP, chiropractic institutions are better equipped to provide evidence-based care. Clinical research supports the effectiveness and safety of chiropractic manual therapies. This progress not only improves patient care, but also strengthens chiropractic's position as a valuable and scientifically supported healthcare treatment option. (LeFebvre et al. (2012), J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med)

Maintenance Care in Chiropractic: Value, Application, and Future Improvements

A 2023 study shows that Norwegian chiropractors are positive about maintenance care and recognise that it can contribute to better patient care. More than half of the respondents feel capable of identifying suitable patients, although only 45% have recently applied evidence-based information about this. Factors such as access to useful resources and knowledge about appropriate patients influence the use of maintenance care. Chiropractors emphasise that maintenance care can be improved through better guidelines and tools. The strong similarity between maintenance care and evidence-based practice underlines the professionalism in chiropractic care. This research highlights the value of maintenance care and the need to further support it in practice. (Myhrvold et al. (2023), Chiropractic & Manual Therapies.)

Manual Therapy: Effective and Cost-Efficient Treatment for Neck Pain

In a study, 183 patients with neck pain were divided into three treatment groups for at least two weeks: manual therapy (spinal mobilisation), physiotherapy (mainly exercises) and care by a general practitioner (advice, education and medication). The results showed that the manual therapy group improved faster than the physiotherapy group and the GP group up to 26 weeks. The total costs for manual therapy were significantly lower (€447) compared to physiotherapy (€1297) and general care (€1379), with significant differences (P<0.01). The cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency ratios showed that manual therapy was both more effective and less expensive than physical therapy or general care. The conclusion is that manual therapy (spinal mobilisation) is both more effective and more cost-effective in treating neck pain. (Korthals-de Bos et al. (2003), British Medical Journal)

Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Cost-Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain

A 2014 systematic review and meta-analysis compared the effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) with other treatments for low back pain. The study concluded that SMT produced significant improvements in pain reduction and functional status, especially compared to no treatment. SMT was considered cost-effective, given its comparable results with other therapies and its relatively low cost. The results suggest that SMT is a valuable and efficient option for treating lower back pain. This supports the use of SMT as a common healthcare treatment option. (Y. Fu, S.D. Madsen, C.A. Shaheed et al. (2024), MethodsX)