Chiropractic Research

What does the science say? Chiropractic Research Supports Manipulation.

In this section we highlight some of the best available Chiropractic research yielding clear evidence on the Safety and Effectiveness of Chiropractic Manipulation. Note that most of the studies where not performed by Chiropractors but medical researchers from highly credible institutes.

Chiropractic Research and Studies

The Rand Report

In 1991 the first independent guideline on spinal manipulation for low back pain was published using evaluation of scientific literature by an expert panel. They concluded that manipulation was appropriate for acute low back pain.

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Guidelines

In 1994 Guidelines for acute lower back pain developed for the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by a blue ribbon panel composed primarily of medical physicians and chaired by an orthopedic surgeon included powerful recommendations for spinal manipulation.

American Pain Society & American College of Physicians 

In 2007, guidelines were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine by an all medical panel consisting of members of the APS & the ACP. After thoroughly surveying and analyzing all available research, they concluded that doctors should consider non-pharmacologic therapy including spinal manipulation for low back pain. In fact, spinal manipulation and superficial heat were the only non-pharmacologic therapy found effective for acute low back pain.

Chiropractic and Headaches: Duke University Study

Chiropractic Research proves its effectiveness for headaches. Patients who received manipulation were significantly better than those who had taken amitriptyline for headache: both in frequency and severity. Patients who received manipulation sustained reduction in headache frequency and severity compared to those who took amitriptyline and had almost no negative side effects (4%) compared to the medication group (82%).

World Health Organization Bone and Joint Decade Report

The most comprehensive recent evaluation of all neck pain therapies lasting from 2000-2010. It concluded that “Our best evidence synthesis suggests that therapies involving manual therapy and exercise are more effective than alternative strategies for patients with neck pain”.

Stroke Risk with Chiropractic Manipulation.

According to a very large and highest quality study in 2015 involving over 6 million subjects, the risk of stroke after seeing a Chiropractor was 76% less than seeing a primary care physician (family doctor). Essentially, this means that neither primary care providers (PCPs nor Chiropractors) are causing stroke, they are simply not catching the signs of stroke. Furthermore, Candice J. Perkins, a double board certified neurovascular MD reports that from her studies, it is impossible for spinal manipulation to cause stroke calling it physiologically impossible and stating “No mechanism by which spinal manipulation induces injury into normal healthy tissues has been identified”.

Vertebral Artery Dissection Study.

In his 2003 publication in MEDICINE the author shames Smith et al. calling attention to their failure to fully present the well-documented benefits of cervical manipulation. Furthermore, he highlights the risks of medications which are far more severe and prevalent than any applications of manipulation. Unquestionably, the Smith study has been extensively and immediately propagated in the printed and televised media. This is in contrast to the many investigations which have supported cervical manipulation. By comparison, these studies are more robust investigations showing no substantial side-effects from cervical manipulation. Therefore, the idea that cervical manipulations are dangerous is a misrepresentation and a major disservice to the American public. Furthermore, it threatens the public’s access to the best available options in healthcare.

Safety of Chiropractic: Low Risk of Stroke After Chiropractic Manipulation of The Neck

The risk of stroke associated with Chiropractic manipulation was extremely low, in fact, too small to report. Risk of stroke with chiropractic manipulation of the neck was about 0.1-0.5% and similar to risk of stroke after seeing a primary care physician for neck pain. The risk of stroke after chiropractic is lower than the background prevalence of stroke.

Prevalence of Stroke in The Elderly

The prevalence of stroke in the elderly (ages 65 and older) is about 7.4%. Note that the risk of stroke with chiropractic manipulation of the neck is about 15-75 times lower than the ordinary rate of stroke in the general population.

Ross Hauser, MD explains loss of cervical curve and instability in neck pain

It’s not just Chiropractors that emphasize correcting joint alignment. Even Medical Doctors agree that joint dysfunction can lead to a variety of symptoms in addition to neck pain. Here we see Doctor Hauser explain how the loss of the normal cervical curve can lead to a variety of symptoms including tinnitus and vertigo.