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Chiropractic Studies
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY REPORT
A study published by the U.S. AHCPR and the U.S. department of Health and Human Services endorses spinal manipulation for acute low back pain in adults in its Clinical Practice Guideline #14. An independent multidisciplinary panel of private-sector clinicians and other experts convinced and developed specific statements on appropriate health care of acute low back problems in adults. One statement cited, relief of discomfort (low back pain) can be accomplished most safely with spinal manipulation, and/or nonprescription medication.
THE MANGA REPORT
A major study to assess the most appropriate use of available health care resources was reported in 1993. This was an outcomes study funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and conducted in hopes of sharing information about ways to address cost-effective ways to rehabilitate disabled and injured workers. The study was conducted by three health economists led by University of Ottawa Professor Pran Manga, Ph.D. The report of the study is commonly called the Manga Report. The Manga Report overwhelmingly supported 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 care than with medical treatment alternatives. "Evidence from Canada and other countries suggests potential savings of hundreds of millions annually," the Manga Reports states. "The literature clearly and consistently shows that the major savings from chiropractic management come from fewer and lower costs of auxiliary services, fewer and lower costs of auxiliary services, fewer hospitalizations, and a highly significant reduction in chronic problems, as well as in levels and duration of disability."
RAND STUDY ON LOW-BACK PAIN
A four-phase conducted in the early 1990's 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 studies, an expert panel of researchers, including medical doctors of chiropractic, found that:
chiropractors deliver a substantial amount of health care of 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.
WASHINGTON HMO STUDY
In 1989, a survey administered by Daniel C. Cherkin, Ph.D., and Frederick A. MacCornack, Ph.D., concluded that patients receiving care from health maintenance organization (HMOs) within the state of Washington were three times as likely to report satisfaction with care from chiropractors as they were also more likely to believe that their chiropractor was concerned about them.
STANO COST COMPARISON STUDY
A study by Miron Stano, Ph.D., reported in the June 1993 Journal of Manipulative and physiological Therapeutics involved 395,641 patients with neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Results over a two-year period showed that patients who received chiropractic care incurred significantly lower health care costs that did patients treated solely by medical or osteopathic physicians.
SAKATCHEWAN CLINICAL RESEARCH
Following a 1993 study, researchers J. David Cassidy, D.C., M.S., and W. Kirkaldy-Willis, M.D., of the Back Pain Clinic at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatchewan concluded that "the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disk herniation by side posture manipulation is both safe and effective."
WIGHT STUDY ON RECURRING HEADACHES
A 1978 study conducted by J.S. Wight, D.C., and reported in the ACA Journal of Chiropractic, indicated that 74.6% of patients with recurring headaches, including migraines, were either cured or experienced reduced headache symptomatology after receiving chiropractic manipulation. 1990 BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL REPORT
A study conducted by T.W. Meade, a medical doctor, and reported in the June 2, 1990, British Medical journal concluded 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.
VIRGINIA COMPARATIVE STUDY
A 1992 study conducted by L.G. Schifrin, Ph.D., provided an economic assessment of mandated health insurance coverage for chiropractic treatment within the Common- wealth of Virginia. As reported by the College of William and Mary, and the Medical College of Virginia, the study indicated that chiropractic provides therapeutic benefits at economical costs. The report also recommended that chiropractic be a widely available form of health care.
1992 UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN STUDY
In 1985 the University of Sakatchewan conducted a study of 283 patients "who had not responded to previous conservative or operative treatment" and who were initially classified as totally disabled. The study revealed that"81%...became symptom free or achieved a state of mild intermittent pain who no work restrictions" after daily spinal manipulations were administered.
LANDMARK LEGAL DECISION SUPPORTS CHIROPRACTIC
Further validation of chiropractic care evolved from an antitrust suit which was filed by four members of the chiropractic profession against the American Medical Association (AMA) and a number of other health care organizations in the U.S. (Wilk et al v. AMA et al, 1990). Following 11 years of litigation, a federal appellate court judge upheld a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Getzendanner that the AMA had engaged in a "lengthy, systematic, successful and unlawful boycott" designed to restrict cooperation between MDs and chiropractors in order to eliminate the profession of chiropractic as a competitor in the U.S. health care system. Judge Getzendanner rejected the AMA's patient care defense, and cited scientific studies which implied that "chiropractic care was twice as effective as medical care in relieving many painful conditions of the neck and back as well as related musculo-skeletal problems." Since the court's findings and conclusions were released, an increasing number of medical doctors, hospitals and health care organizations in the U.S. have begun to include the services of chiropractors.
Oregon and California
Workmen’s Compensation Studies
Oregon Study
In 1971, the records of the Worker’s Compensation Board of Oregon were reviewed. It was found that 82% of all claimants under chiropractic care returned to work after one week of time lost versus 41% who resumed work after a week under an M.D.’s care. Chiropractic care cost 75% less than M.D. charges. Follow-up study in 1975 revealed twice as many patients treated by medical physicians received temporary disability awards than those treated by chiropractic physicians. 13% of those under an M.D.’s care received permanent disability awards while only 6% of patients under a chiropractor’s care were awarded permanent disability compensation.
California Study
In 1972, using the California Division of Labor Statistics and Research, this study compared work time loss due to industrial back injuries when treated by a medical doctor versus a chiropractor. Results showed an average of 15.6 days lost when treated by a chiropractor in contrast to 32 under a medical doctor’s care. 51% of those who received chiropractic treatment reported complete recovery while34.8% of those treated by a medical physician reported no lost work time. Only 6.7% of chiropractic patients lost over 60 days of work versus 13% of those who received care from a medical physician.
The Silverman Report
Of 100 patients sent to Dr. Silverman, a chiropractor, this study by the largest HMO in the southeastern U.S. found 80 had already visited an average of 1.6 medical doctors without positive results, 17 were medically diagnosed as having slipped disc, and 23 were diagnosed as needing surgery. After three weeks of chiropractic care, NONE needed surgery, and 86% reported a correction of their problem. The HMO saved $250,000 and avoided operating at a financial loss. The medical doctor who oversaw the project gave full credit to chiropractic care for the savings.
Cassidy Report
This study followed 171 chronic patients who suffered for seven years with medically non-responding disabling low back ailments. The group was provided chiropractic care and within two to three weeks 87% were restored to normal health.
Chicago Orthopedic Study
Two medical hospitals compared lengths of average stay and costs between patients in the orthopedic wards of each hospital. Patients at the hospital with chiropractic care were released in one half the time of patients at the hospital without chiropractic care. Hospital costs of $1000.00 a day were saved as a result of earlier release and recovery.
Utah Study
1991 study found chiropractic patients retuned to work sooner after an injury. An average of 2 lost work days were reported by those receiving chiropractic treatment versus 20 under standard medical care. Study further revealed that chiropractic care was 10 times less expensive than standard medical care in compensation payouts.
Independent Research Study: Dr. Leonard G. Shifrin, Chancellor Professor of Economics, William and Mary, Clinic Professor of Preventive Medicine at the Medical College of Virginia
1992 research study on the economics of mandated health insurance coverage for chiropractic treatments found chiropractic coverage has minimal or no cost – increasing effect on insurance and may even decrease costs. Low cost impact on insurance is due to chiropractic’s offsetting effect on expenses. Every cost and effectiveness test shows chiropractic provides important therapeutic benefits at reasonable rates with minimal impacts on insurance. Study concludes that chiropractic mandates help make available health care that is widely used by the public and is proven to be cost effective.