What Does Research Say?

In the last 20 years, a tremendous amount of research has been completed to demonstrate the effectiveness of chiropractic care. Claims made by chiropractic physicians, 100 years ago, were once thought to be preposterous. Now, strong scientific studies demonstrate that these claims are fact.

Chiropractic care has demonstrated significant benefit for neck and whiplash injuries, sports injuries, lifting mishaps, posture correction, headaches, pinched nerves, digestive disorders, pregnancy discomfort, and colic in babies.

Any good doctor stays well read… healthcare changes from day to day.


Published Papers and Research for the Effectiveness of Chiropratic:

Sports Injuries:

Hamstring injuries:
Often hamstring injuries occur due to poor function of the lumbar spinal &/or pelvic joints. Spasm of the hamstrings have been strongly associated with mild disc injuries to the lower lumbar spine, lumbar facet arthrosis, etc. Brit J Sports Med 1982 16:1 Muckle DS, Boeda 1973. Manipulation of the SI/Pelvis joints significantly increased the torque strength of injured hamstrings. Physical Therapy Aug. 1986 Cibulka et al.

Reduction of pain and enhanced athletic performance:
The restoration of joint mobility and decreased muscular trigger points significantly enhanced the performance of athletes tested. Pain may cause a diminished muscular contraction. Reduction in pain may increase the total output of muscular contraction. Chiro Sports Med 1989 3(1) Morley JJ

Ankle Sprains:
JMPT, 2001;24(1):17-24. Post injury response when comparing chiropractic manipulation to placebo. Both groups improved, but there were statistically significant benefits in the chiropractic group; Reduction in pain. Subjectively enhanced ankle ROM and function Objectively increased dorsiflexion (goniometer) & decreased pain (algometer).

Knee Pain:
Knee pain can certainly keep an athlete on the bench and out of practice. Many things can contribute to knee pain. One possible cause might be referred pain from the large pelvic joints. This is usually well managed with gentle manipulation of these joints if they are restricted in motion. JMPT Feb. 2000. Suter E., et al.

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs); Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc.
NSAIDs may provide temporary relief and some anti-inflammatory control, however far too many athletes are utilizing this drug as a pain preventive tool; ie. taking ibuprofen before practice or immediately afterwards to prevent pain. This practice could be described as abuse of this drug.

After an injury, it may be appropriate (consult your MD) to utilize this drug for a short period. BUT, keep in mind that there are very limited studies showing ANY effectiveness of this drug benefiting sport injuries (sprains and strains). In fact, there is evidence of them slowing the healing process. Am J Sports Med 1996 24:6 Garrett

Tight/Weak Muscles Which May Limit Athletic Performance or Predispose a Sporting Injury:
It is well appreciated in the sports medicine field that tight muscles are weaker than normal toned muscles. They may also injure easier. It is also understood that a joint may have less mobility if muscles are tight. Tight muscles are not necessarily symptomatic; ie. leg pain due to tight muscles. Therefore a young athlete may be at risk of a muscular strain and not even be aware of it.

It is well appreciated in sports medicine literature that joint manipulation; spinal and non-spinal, may directly affect the tone of muscles; returning them back to a normal tone. Spine 1999 Jan 15; Herzog, PhD, Spine May 15, 2001; Keller, PhD. Colloca, DC., New York Chiropractic College Research; Dishman, Cunningham & Burke., Spine Oct., 2000. Dishman JD; Bulbulian RB., JNMS 1996 4:4,

Balance and Motor Control in Athletic Performance:
Every athlete knows how important balance and muscle control is to their success in performing even the most simple tasks of their sport. If this balance or motor control was decreased, even a small amount, it could significantly affect his/her success as an athlete. Spinal manipulation has demonstrated improvements in neurological communication to the brain thus enhancing balance, equilibrium and muscle control. JMPT 1998;21(4) Seaman, DR

Posture and Sport:
It has been questioned; “what causes a muscle to get tight?” Continuous joint stress may be one cause, ie. poor posture. Who knows more about good posture than your local doctor of chiropractic? J. However, to correct a chronic poor posture may require more than just sitting up tall. Be sure to consult us if you're suspect of other issues; muscle spams, joint restriction, etc. J Electromyogr Kinesiol Aug. 1998. Stubbs M., Harris M., et al.

For the Elderly:
“Elderly chiropractic users were less likely to have been hospitalized, less likely to have used a nursing home, more likely to report a better health status, more likely to exercise vigorously, and more likely to be mobile in the community. In addition, they were less likely to use prescription drugs.” Topics in Clinical Chiropractic, Coulter et al. 1996.

Blood Pressure:
JMPT Feb. 2001. Knutson GA This study looked at the effects on blood pressure following gentle spinal manipulation. The chiropractic group demonstrated a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (BP). The sudden drop in BP is proposed to be due to stimulation of the cervicosympathetic reflex or moderation of muscle tone & elimination of the effects of the pressor reflex.

Vision:
Some studies discuss the enhanced visual acuity immediately following spinal manipulation. Chiro Tech. 1993 Terrett, DC. Terrett reports on a study completed by Milne (GP) and Gorman (opthalmologist) and a second study by Zang that discusses improve vision and cerebral blood flow immediately following manipulation.

Cognitive Abilities:
JMPT 2000;23(4) Kelly, DD, et al. This study looked at the possibilities of spinal manipulation affecting cortical processing. Mental rotation reaction time was used as their objective tool. Both groups improved through a learning effect, but the chiropractic group improved significantly more; chiropractic=14.9% v. the non-chiropractic= 8.0%.

Patient Satisfaction:
Compared to those who sought care from medical doctors, those who sought care from doctors of chiropractic were more likely to feel that treatment was helpful, more likely to be satisfied with their care, and less likely to seek care from another provider for that same episode of pain.” Spine, Carey etal. 1996.

Cost Effectiveness:
Treatment costs in cases managed by chiropractic physicians increased 12% between 1986-1989. Treatment costs in cases managed by medical physicians increased 71% in the same time period. Compensation (wage replacement) costs increased 21% for the chiropractic group and 114% for the medical group.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Jarvis etal. 1997.

The overwhelming body of evidence shows that chiropractic management of low-back pain is more cost effective than medical management, and that many medical therapies are of questionable validity or are clearly inadequate… Chiropractic manipulation is safer than medical management of low-back pain.” The Manga Report, 1993.

Kids and Low Back Pain:
Pediatric patients respond favorably to chiropractic management for lower back pain, according to a recent study out of Toronto. Published in the January issue of the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy, the study reviewed chiropractic management of LBP in a group of patients between the ages of 4 and 18 years. The report concluded that patients responded favorably to the chiropractic management, with ‘important’ improvement within six weeks of treatment seen in 62% and 87% on the visual analogue and subjective scales.