Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care
Recent surveys and studies document the fact that the
public has come to recognize that traditional medicine can't
answer all of consumers' health care needs. In particular,
more people are turning to chiropractic services.
- A March 1998 article in Business and Health magazine
reports, "Many companies say chiropractic coverage has
lowered their medical and workers' comp costs, while raising
overall health and productivity. The article also cites an
Oregon study, which found that median work time lost for
employees with back injuries who used chiropractic care was
only 9 days as compared with 34.5 days for workers who used
medical care.
- A study published in the July 1, 1998 issue of the
Annals of Internal Medicine shows that chiropractic
treatment is appropriate for low-back pain in a considerable
number of cases. This study by the Rand Corporation found
that 46 percent of a sample of low-back pain patients
received appropriate care from doctors of chiropractic - an
appropriateness rating similar to that of common medical
procedures.
- The 1994 AHCPR guidelines for low-back pain concluded
that spinal manipulation, chiropractic's primary treatment
technique, is one of only three treatments whose
effectiveness is substantiated by rigorous research.
Quick relief of symptoms and sustained effectiveness have
long attracted consumers to chiropractic care. According to a
1992 RAND Corp. study, patients see a chiropractor primarily
for low back pain and neck pain, though many seek chiropractic
care for mid-back pain, extremity problems, headaches and
other symptoms as well.
Successful outcomes in both effectiveness and patient
satisfaction, have paved the way for chiropractors to enter
the mainstream of health care services. Some have even begun
to collaborate with medical doctors in integrated health care
practices. As reported in the May/June 1998 issue of Health
magazine, the prestigious Texas Back Institute (TBI) at one
time included only surgeons and other M.D.s. Then, about ten
years ago, when TBI's medical doctors discovered
chiropractic's success with lower back pain, they hired their
first chiropractor. Now, according to one administrator quoted
in the article, about 50 percent of the Institute's patients
see a chiropractor first when beginning their treatment.
Due to years of criticism -- and even an illegal boycott by
the American Medical Association -- chiropractic training was
sometimes called into question. However, the fact remains,
chiropractors must complete a minimum of 6 and, on average, 7
years of college and post-graduate study to earn their
degrees. Their education includes at least 4,200 hours of
classroom, laboratory and clinical experience, and as much --
and sometimes more than -- course work in anatomy and
physiology as most medical doctors. After they receive their
degrees from one of the nation's 17 accredited chiropractic
colleges, they have to pass rigorous exams and be licensed by
the state before they can open a practice. The practice of
chiropractic is licensed in all 50 states, and in 1994 there
were approximately 50,000 chiropractors licensed in the United
States . This number is expected to double by the year 2010,
according to the 1997 AHCPR report.
"These recent surveys and reports finally vindicate the
chiropractic profession after years of enduring doubt,
questions and criticism about our training and practices,"
said Dr. Pedigo. "What the health care and medical communities
are just beginning to accept is what our patients have known
all along -- that our treatment is safe, effective and highly
successful at improving their quality of life."
Chiropractic Care Can Help...
Information provided courtesy of
the
American Chiropractic
Association (ACA)
http://www.amerchiro.org/
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