Our professionals at Chiropractic By Thriveology in Denver stay on top of the latest research and practices, so what do studies show about chiropractic care? Well, let’s take a look at what the research reveals.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics-Childhood Asthma
The Journal reports the use of manual techniques on children with respiratory diseases can be beneficial. Chiropractic and massage are two of the most commonly used interventions.
The European Spine Journal-Sciatica
Findings from a clinical trial were published in The European Spine Journal last year. The results of the trial showed that chiropractic adjustments resulted in a 72 percent success rate in treating sciatica and related symptoms compared to the 20 percent success rate from physical therapy and 50 percent from corticosteroid injections.
British Medical Journal 2003-Low Back Pain and Neck Pain
In a study published in the 2003 British Medical Journal, a 52-week study randomly divided 183 patients with neck pain to manual therapy (spinal mobilization), physiotherapy (mainly exercise) or general practitioner care (counseling, education, and drugs). This study showed that chiropractic adjustments helped people recover faster than general practitioner care and physiotherapy. In addition, it showed the total costs of the chiropractic-treated patients were about one-third of the costs of both physiotherapy and general practitioner care.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics-Low Back Pain
Another study found chronic low back pain patients treated with chiropractic care showed more improvement and satisfaction at the end of one month than similar patients treated by family doctors. The study was published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics and resulted a bigger proportion of chiropractic patients (56 percent compared to 13 percent) reporting their low-back pain was better or much better, but on the other hand, nearly one-third of the medical patients reported their low-back pain was worse or much worse.
NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine-Neck Pain
A study sponsored by NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine researched the effectiveness of different approaches for treating neck pain. There were 272 participants who were divided into three groups that received either pain medication (over-the-counter pain relievers, narcotics and muscle relaxants), spinal manipulative therapy from a doctor of chiropractic (DC), or exercise recommendations. After 12 weeks, about 57 percent of those who met with DCs and 48 percent who exercised reported at least a 75 percent reduction in pain, compared to 33 percent of the people in the medication group. In a one year, almost 53 percent of the people who didn’t take medication continued to report at least a 75 percent pain reduction, compared to just 38 percent reduction in pain among the people who took the medication.
Journal of the American Medical Association-Neck Pain
A 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that during a study between 1997 and 2005, the costs for the standard medical management of spinal pain syndromes, both neck and back, increased 63 percent, outcomes for physical functioning, work or school limitations and social limitations for adults declined, and in the number of people who experience neck or back pain increased. However, it also showed that when chiropractic care was included in the managed care program it resulted in cost savings, and a decrease in surgeries, advanced imaging, inpatient care, and plain-film radiographs.
Group Trial-Headaches (Tension and Migraine)
Headaches are one of the most common conditions managed by chiropractors to help cure, prevent and ease the burden of headaches and migraines. A group trial found 49 percent of the people said they had a significant reduction in pain intensity and 22 percent of people who had chiropractic treatment saw the number of attacks drop by 90 percent.
Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics 2012-Ear Infections and Colic
The Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics described on a 2012 study showing chiropractic adjustments greatly reduced symptoms of colic. Many case studies have proven that kids with ear infections, acid reflux, and colic can significantly improve after a few visits to a chiropractor.
Chiropractic adjustments and muscular rehabilitation often help prevent the progression of scoliosis. Case studies in the past have shown that chiropractic care can treat scoliosis without the use of braces and surgeries. It’s been reported to decrease scoliosis curvatures by 10 to 30 percent in some participants.
Current research points to MRI scans that show how cerebral spinal fluid and blood flow increases after a chiropractic adjustment.
Human Journal of Hypertension-Blood Pressure
The Human Journal of Hypertension published a 2007 study showing that one upper cervical chiropractic adjustment had the same effect as two blood pressure-lowering drugs. It also stated the effects of just one adjustment lasted more than six months.
Journal of the American Medical Association-Surgery Prevention
Low back pain guidelines were just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which suggested that people who suffered from back pain should first try chiropractic care before getting surgery.
A clinical trial’s results were reported last year describing how patients suffering from the frozen shoulder condition were helped by chiropractic care.
Enhanced Athletic Performance
Multiple studies have shown that chiropractic care can enhance personal and athletic performance by reducing inflammatory cytokines, boosting the immune system, enhancing pulmonary function, decreasing mental and oxidative stress, relieving muscle tension and increasing energy levels.
Other Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Many patients receiving chiropractic care experience an improved overall bodily function, back pain, headaches, ear infections, neck pain, arthritis and joint pain, scoliosis, asthma, blood pressure, organ function, support healthy pregnancies and prevent surgery.
We know chiropractic care is a way to heal naturally and what do studies show about chiropractic care is that it works. Because the nervous system controls every cell and organ in your body, our chiropractors at Chiropractic By Thriveology in Denver focus on the health of your spine being properly aligned and, if there are shifts, helping the spine come back into alignment. We stay on top of the latest research and practices, so we can always answer your questions about what do these studies show about chiropractic care.