10 Best Chiropractic Research Studies

    10 Best Chiropractic Research Studies

Finding a good Chiropractor is not only key to correcting damage caused by years of poor posture or trauma, but it is also important for everyone who wants to take a proactive approach to their health. I do not know of any other profession on the planet that can prevent neuromuscular diseases like chiropractic can. This is why I have been personally adjusted for over 18 years and recommend my patients, friends, and family members to do the same. But don’t just take my word for it, here are some studies and medical research conducted to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of chiropractic.

1.    Sciatica

The European newspaper La Columna published last year the findings of a clinical trial that discovered how chiropractic adjustments resulted in a 72% success rate in treating sciatica and related symptoms, compared to a 20% success rate for physical therapy and a 50% for corticosteroid injections. Compared to most medical treatments, some interventions can initiate relief from back pain and healing as chiropractic adjustments can!

2.    Lower Back Pain and Neck Pain

In a study published in the British Medical Journal in 2003, 183 patients with neck pain were randomly assigned to manual therapy (spinal adjustment), physiotherapy (mainly exercise), or general medicine (counseling, education, and medication) in a 52-week study. The average clinical outcome showed that chiropractic adjustments resulted in a faster recovery than physiotherapy and general medicine. Additionally, the total costs of chiropractic for treated patients were about one-third of the costs of physiotherapy or general medicine. Another study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found patients with chronic lower back pain treated by chiropractors showed greater improvement and satisfaction within a month compared to patients treated by family doctors. Satisfaction achievements were higher in chiropractic patients.

A larger proportion of chiropractic patients (56% vs. 13%) reported that their lower back pain was better or much better, while nearly one-third of doctor patients reported that their lower back pain was worse or much worse. In a study funded by the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health to test the effectiveness of different approaches to neck pain treatment, 272 participants were divided into three groups, receiving spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) from a chiropractor (DC), pain medications (including over-the-counter analgesics, narcotics, and muscle relaxants), or exercise recommendations. After 12 weeks, 57% of those who saw the Chiropractor and 48% who exercised reported at least a 75% reduction in pain, compared to 33% of the medication group. After one year, approximately 53% of the medication-free groups continued to report at least a 75% reduction in pain, compared to only 38% pain reduction among those taking medications.

3.    Headaches (Tension and Migraine)

After back pain, headaches are one of the most common disorders regularly managed by chiropractors. At the time I conducted this research, over 230 peer-reviewed articles referenced chiropractic’s ability to help heal, prevent, and alleviate the burden of headaches and migraines in people worldwide. A group trial found that 22% of people who had received chiropractic treatment saw the number of these attacks drop by 90%.

In that same study, 49% reported a significant reduction in pain intensity. Compared to many medical treatments, few interventions can initiate headache relief like chiropractic adjustments.

4.    Colic and Ear Infections

A study published in 2012 by the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic adjustments significantly reduced symptoms of colic.

Although very few randomized controlled trials have described the clinical effects of chiropractic care in children, many documented case studies describe how children suffering from otitis media (ear infection), acid reflux, and colic have experienced nearly complete resolution after a few visits. The reasons for this phenomenon vary, but they have one thing in common: the nerves that control the intestines and the brain are closely linked and are very sensitive to a neurological insult caused by vertebral subluxations.

5.    Neurological Diseases

Exciting research is being conducted using MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) showing how adjustments in the upper cervical region affect various brain diseases. What we have seen so far is quite astonishing. MRI scans not only reveal that cerebrospinal fluid and blood flow are significantly greater after a chiropractic adjustment, researchers are observing that cerebellar invagination (when the cerebellum falls below the skull line) is reversed and the brain plate disappears (common in patients with multiple sclerosis). Montel Williams, the famous television host, was interviewed about his experience as an MS patient under chiropractic care. See here how it has changed his life!

6.    Blood Pressure

In 2007, George Bakris, a world expert in hypertension, published a study with a team of researchers in the Journal of Human Hypertension demonstrating how a chiropractic adjustment in the upper cervical area had the same effect as two blood pressure-reducing medications. Even more fascinating, the effects of a single adjustment lasted over 6 months! Compared to patients treated with a placebo, those who received the actual procedure saw a 14mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number of blood pressure), and an average of 8mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number of blood pressure). Other studies have shown similar results with patients who were hypotensive and their low blood pressure rose to normal levels after chiropractic care. This is exciting because it highlights the body’s ability to create a homeostatic balance once vertebral subluxations have been removed.

7.    Surgery Prevention

Chiropractic has been proclaimed by natural medical services as a natural method to avoid back surgery. In fact, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recently published its guidelines for lower back pain and suggested that people suffering from back pain should first try chiropractic before resorting to surgery.

8.    Frozen Shoulder

Last year a clinical trial was published describing how patients suffering from the debilitating condition of frozen shoulder responded to chiropractic care. Of 50 patients: 16 resolved the problem completely; 25 showed 75% to 90% improvement, 8 showed 50% to 75% improvement; and 1 showed 0% to 50% improvement.

9.    Scoliosis

Chiropractic adjustments for scoliosis along with muscle rehabilitation techniques can help prevent the progression of scoliosis. Organizations like the non-profit organization Clear Institute, founded by Dr. Dennis Woggon, have been established to train healthcare professionals with an effective chiropractic system to treat individuals with scoliosis.

The Institute has perfected a prototype and discovered that it is possible to effectively treat the condition without the use of restrictive braces or dangerous surgeries. In many cases from the study, participants have seen a reduction in the curvature of their scoliosis by 10% to 30%. You can read about some of the cases here.

If you or a family member suffers from scoliosis, I highly recommend reaching out to a scoliosis specialized chiropractic center to see if they can help you.

10.    Physical Performance

There is a reason why athletes both today and in the past, such as Michael Phelps, Jerry Rice, and Joe Montana, are under regular chiropractic care. In fact, more than 50% of NFL (National Football League) teams have a chiropractor on staff. Since chiropractic is very effective for pathological diseases and pain, one aspect of chiropractic care is often overlooked: it enhances athletic and personal performance. Studies have shown that:
• Reduces inflammatory cytokines
• Boosts your immune system
• Improves lung function
• Decreases oxidative and mental stress
• Relieves muscle tension
• And can naturally increase your energy level

Studies have objectively and subjectively demonstrated that chiropractic patients experience an “increase in overall body function,” which includes regularity of source and mental clarity.