Scientific research and studies showing where chiropractic is beneficial exists. In addition more updated research is necessary and is being conducted. In Australia Chiropractors are known to treat the Spine, muscles and skeleton and Chiropractors may treat those aspects of conditions amenable to manual therapy.
If interested in more recent studies or research about Chiropractic you could do your own searches to see what is available in the public domain in Google Search, YouTube, studies on PubMed etc
In our region research studies into Chiropractic are being conducted, including at:
- University of New Zealand - Chiropractic Research Department
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney. The Australian Chiropractic Research Network (ACORN) Project is a large research initiative, under direction of Distinguished Professor Jon Adams at Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney. The ACORN Project and 7 ACORN sub-studies of Chiropractic have produced 15 published peer-reviewed journal articles and 16 conference presentations.
- by Dr Heidi Haavik (researcher with PhD in NeuroPhysiology), has done and has published much research into Chiropractic. She is also author of The Reality Check.
To find research and information on topics you are interested in, it is probably best that you look for the latest information online. You could search for "Chiropractic Research" + "your interest" for example if interested in headaches you could search for "Chiropractic Research + Headaches". If you want videos on the subject add "YouTube" to your search i.e. your search would be "Chiropractic Research + Headaches + YouTube".
Dose Response and Efficacy of Spinal Manipulation for Chronic Cervicogenic Headache: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Hass M, Spegman A, Peterson D, et al. Spine J. 2010 Feb;10(2):117-28. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2009.09.002.
80 Patients with Chronic Cervicogenic Headache; 8 weeks chiro care
Results Summary:
- Patients receiving chiropractic care improved significantly compared to the control group.
- Pain and disability scores were better for the group receiving chiro care
- The group receiving the chiro care also had less headaches and took less medication for pain
- The group receiving the chiro care was also 3X more likely to have an improvement compared to the group receiving light massage.
A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine.
Tuchin PJ, Pollard H, Bonello R. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000 Feb;23(2):91-5. PMID: 10714533 Clinical Trial.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) in the treatment of migraine. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial of 6 months' duration. The trial consisted of 127 People with migraines, 2 months of data collection. The study measured Migraine Frequency, Migraine duration, Disability, Medication use.
Results Summary:
- After 2 months the study migraine group receiving chiropractic care got better results with all measured outcomes than the control group.
- The migraines of 1 in 5 people went away almost completely after 2 months of chiropractic care.
- For half of the people receiving chiropractic care the frequency of migraines significantly reduced.Chiropractic in Canada:
Manga P, Angus D, Papadopoulos C, et al
A Study to examine the effectiveness and cost of Chiropractic management of low back pain, Ottawa, 1993, Ministry of Health, Government of OntarioA major study to assess the most appropriate use of available health care resources was reported in 1993. This was an outcome study funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and conducted in hopes of sharing information about ways to reduce the incidence of work-related injuries, and 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 Manga, Ph.D. The report of this study is commonly called the Manga Report. The Manga Report overwhelmingly supported the efficacy, safety, scientific validity, and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic for low-back pain. Additionally, it found out that high patient satisfaction levels were associated with chiropractic care.
"Evidence from Canada and other countries suggests potential savings of hundreds of millions annually," the Manga Report states. "The literature clearly and consistently shows that the major savings from chiropractic management come from 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."
New Zealand Government - Commission of Inquiry into Chiropractic:
The Report of the New Zealand Commission of Inquiry, Wellington, NZ, 1979, PD Haseelberg, Government Printer
A comprehensive detail inquiry into chiropractic was conducted between 1978-1980 by the New Zealand Commission of Inquiry. In its 377-page report to the House of Representatives, NZ, the Commission called its study "probably the most comprehensive and detailed independent examination of chiropractic ever undertaken in any country." The commission considered investigations done in New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The Commission entered the inquiry with "the general impression ... shared by many in the community at that time: that chiropractic was an unscientific cult, not to be compared with orthodox medical or paramedical services."
By the end of the inquiry, the commission reported itself "irresistibly and with complete unanimity drawn to the conclusion that modern chiropractic is a soundly-based and valuable branch of health care in a specialized area..." Conclusions of the Commission's report, based on investigations in New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, stated:
- Spinal manual therapy in the hands of a registered chiropractor is safe.
- Spinal manual therapy can be effective in relieving musculo-skeletal symptoms such as back pain, and other symptoms known to respond to such therapy, such as migraine.
- Chiropractors are the only health practitioners who are necessarily equipped by their education and training to carry out spinal manual therapy.
- In the public interest and in the interests of patients, there must be no impediment to full professional cooperation between chiropractors and medical practitioners.