Chiropractic
is the Science, Art and Philosophy that concerns itself with the
restoration of good health by restoring and maintaining a properly
functioning nervous system, without the use of drugs or surgery.
There is evidence that chiropractic is effective in certain situations.
Nine studies found that:
The Manga
Report:
Chiropractic was the treatment of choice for low back pain, according
to the Manga Report, a 1993 study by the Ontario Ministry of Health in
Canada that recommended all low back pain patients be referred to
chiropractors.
The Rand Corp Study:
Spinal manipulation was an effective treatment for low back disorders
according to a 1991 report by the RAND Corp., done by a panel of
independent experts who surveyed existing studies.
British Medical
Journal:
Chiropractic medicine was significantly superior to traditional medical
care, as measured by pain relieved, time off from work and money spent
on treatment, British researchers discovered after a 10 year study that
appeared in the June 1990 British Medical Journal.
The Florida Study:
Shorter Disability and Lower Related Costs: Temporary total disability
for chiropractic patients was found to be 51.3 percent shorter than for
patients receiving standard medical care. The direct costs of
chiropractic physician services were an average of 58.8 percent lower
than the corresponding cost for medical doctors. The estimated average
total cost of care was 95.3 percent higher for medical patients than
for chiropractic patients.
The Utah Study:
Chiropractic is Cost Effective: Compensation costs for work time lost
were $68.38 for patients who received chiropractic care, compared to
$668.39 for patients who received standard, non-surgical medical
treatment. The number of work days lost under medical care was nearly
10 times higher with 20.7 days lost under medical care and only 2.4
days lost under chiropractic care.
The Meade Study:
Chiropractic Offers Long-Term Benefits: This study concluded, "For
patients with low-back pain in whom manipulation is not
contraindicated, chiropractic almost certainly confers worthwhile,
long-term benefit in comparison to hospital outpatient
management."
Koes' Clinical Trial:
The Positive Results of Chiropractic are Lasting: Manipulative therapy
(chiropractic) and physiotherapy were compared as treatments for
persistent back and neck complaints. After 12 months, the manipulative
therapy group showed greater improvement in the primary complaint with
fewer visits.
The New Zealand Report:
This research studied cost effectiveness, chiropractic education and
training, safety issues and patient satisfaction. This 377 page
document concluded that including chiropractic would have a positive
influence on the health of the country.
The United States Agency for Health Care Policy Research (AHCPR) Study:
Published in 1994, this five year study concluded that relief can be
accomplished most safely with nonprescription medication and/or spinal
manipulation.
For more information about the studies cited here, contact:
FOUNDATION OF CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
P.O. Box 4689
Des Moines, Iowa 50306-4689
Phone (800) 622-6309
Research
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