The following is a summary of published studies documenting the efficacy and appropriateness of chiropractic health care. (Source: National Board of Chiropractic Examiners)
RAND Study on Low-Back Pain
A four-phase study conducted in the early 1990s by RAND, one of America's most prestigious centers for research in public policy, science and technology, explored many indications of low-back pain.
In the RAND study, an expert panel of researchers, including medical doctors and chiropractors found that
-- chiropractors deliver a substantial amount of health care to the U.S. population
-- spinal manipulation is of benefit to some patients with acute low-back pain.
The RAND reports marked the first time that representatives of the medical community went on record stating that spinal manipulation is an appropriate treatment for certain low-back pain conditions.
The New Zealand Commission Report
A particularly significant study of chiropractic was conducted between 1978-1980 by the New Zealand Commission of Inquiry. In its 377-page report to the House of Representatives, the Commission called its study "probably the most comprehensive and detailed independent examination of chiropractic ever undertaken in any country."
The Commission entered the inquiry with "the general impression ... shared by many in the community 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 care is a soundly-based and valuable branch of health care in a specialized area..."
Conclusions of the Commission's report were based on investigations in New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and 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 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.
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1990 British Medical Journal Report
A study conducted by T. Meade, M.D., reported in the June 2, 1990, British Medical Journal concluded that, after two years of patient monitoring, "...for patients with low-back pain in whom manipulation is not contraindicated, chiropractic almost certainly confers worthwhile, long-term benefit in comparison with hospital outpatient management."
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1992 America Health Policy Report
A 1992 review of data from over 2,000,000 users of chiropractic care in the U.S., as reported in the Journal of American Health Policy, stated that "chiropractic users tend to have substantially lower total health care costs," and "chiropractic care reduces the use of both physician and hospital care."
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1985 University of Saskatchewan Study
A 1985 study of 283 patients "who had not responded to previous conservative or operative treatment" and who were initially classified as totally disabled was undertaken by the University of Saskatchewan. They reported that "81% .... became symptom free or achieved a state of mild intermittent pain with no work restrictions" after daily spinal manipulations were administered.
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1993 Manga Report
Chiropractic is the treatment of choice for low back pain, according to the Manga Report, a 1993 study commissioned by the Ministry of Health in Ontario, Canada. Carried out by leading, independent health economists at the University of Ottawa under the leadership of Pran Manga, Ph.D., the Manga study reviewed all of the international evidence on the management of low-back pain. The Manga Report provides compelling support for the efficacy, safety, scientific validity, and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic for low-back pain. Additionally, it found that higher patient satisfaction levels were associated with chiropractic than with medical alternatives.
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1998 Manga Report
Dr. Manga's second report (February 1998) on the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care in Ontario, is a special report written for the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) in its continuing dialog with the Ministry of Health of Ontario, which is considering major health care reform. The report concludes that chiropractors are highly cost effective providers of care for neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Thus, greater chiropractic coverage under public health insurance plans can improve health outcomes, significantly reduce health care costs, and achieve more equitable access to health care services.
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