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Highlights of 2000 Scientific Research on Chiropractic

The results are in: chiropractic research conducted in 2000 continues to substantiate the numerous benefits associated with this therapeutic form of healing. According to Dr. Christiana, many of the new studies focus on the health effects of a condition called vertebral subluxation: a situation that can leave you feeling as stiff as the Tin Man in the movie classic "Wizard ofOz,." Vertebral subluxations are areas in the spine where motion is restricted or bones (vertebrae) are out of alignment. Instead of squirting a little WD-40 on the frozen areas - as the Scarecrow did for his metallic friend - doctors of chiropractic correct vertebral subluxations using gentle maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments. Dr. Christiana works diligently to stay up-to-date with late-breaking research in chiropractic and related fields - and to share this research with patients. A sampling of the most thought-provoking and consequential studies conducted during 2000 are listed below. All of the studies met rigorous scientific criteria and were published in peer-reviewed professional journals or presented at major scientific conventions. Migraines If you have ever experienced the brain-piercing pain of a migraine headache, you'll particularly love what Australian researchers have discovered. A study published earlier this year adds to the growing body of research indicating that chiropractic care effectively reduces migraine pain. The analysis followed 123 individuals, between the ages of 10 and 70, with clinically diagnosed migraine headache. On average, the participants who received chiropractic adjustments enjoyed significant drops in migraine frequency, duration, disability and medication use, compared with controls who did not receive chiropractic care. According to the article, "22 percent of participants reported more than a 90 percent reduction of migraines as a consequence of the two months of [chiropractic adjustments]. Approximately 50 percent more participants reported significant improvement in the morbidity of each episode." - Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics February 2000; 23:91-5. Whiplash Whiplash - commonly associated with auto accidents - is the result of a sudden overextension of the neck. According to a report in the Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine, chiropractic is "the only proven effective treatment" for chronic whiplash injury. Investigators pooled data from telephone interviews of 93 (68 female and 25 male) chiropractic patients with chronic whiplash pain. Subjects received an average of 19.1 chiropractic adjustments over 4.1 months. Altogether, 74 percent of patients improved following chiropractic care. - Journal of Orthopaedic MedicineWinter 1999/2000;21(1):22-5. Fibromyalgia CharacteriZed by widespread muscular soreness and fatigue, the number of fibromyalgia cases has skyrocketed during recent years. Unfortunately, no cure or effective remedy has been discovered. That's the bad news.. The good news? An experiment by Guy Hains, DC, and Francois Hains, DC, is giving new hope to those suffering from this disabling condition. According to researchers, the study (published this year) demonstrates "a potential role for chiropractic care in the management of fibromyalgia." ""The results of this study suggest that chiropractic care combining ischemic compression [a specific form of massage] and spinal manipulation [adjustment for the removal of vertebral subluxations] may help patients suffering from fibromyalgia," said Dr. Guy Hains. -Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics -May 2000;23:225-30. Muscle Tension Chiropractic patients often report a dramatic reduction in muscle pain and tension following chiropractic adjustments. Now, researchers from the New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, New York, have documented a possible scientific explanation for this phenomenon. It seems that chiropractic adjustments produce a short-term inhibition of the human motor system, which controls muscle tension. To measure the effects of chiropractic adjustment on motor nerve cell activity, researchers tested a muscle reflex in the calves of 17 pain-free volunteers before and after the subjects underwent chiropractic adjustment to their spine. (The specific reflex tested has been shown to indicate motor nerve cell activity.) Findings showed that chiropractic adjustment inhibited motor nerve cell activity immediately following the procedure. Scientists speculate that their findings may explain why chiropractic adjustments quell muscle tension. - Spine - October 1, 2000;25:2519. Back Pain Are you so stiff you can barely get out of bed in the morning? Do 'you pretend you're constantly looking for something on the flOor - just to bide time until you can stand fully upright? This year, several studies added to the colossal body of research proving chiropractic is the best option for patients with chronic low-back pain (LBP). The study pooled data on 138 patients with LBP of at least six-weeks duration. Of this group, 93 subjects were cared for by doctors of chiropractic, while 45 patients received treatment provided by a family medical physician. Chiropractic recipients were five times more likely to experience relief than were subjects under medical care. And, 90 percent of chiropractic patients were happy with their overall care, compared with 52 percent of medical patients. Specifically, chiropractic patients reported a 31 percent improvement in pain severity, compared with a 6 percent improvement among medical care recipients. Chiropractic patients reported a 36 percent and 57 percent improvement in two measures of pain quality. On the other hand, medical patients withstood 29 percent and 26 percent deterioration in those same areas. In addition, chiropractic patients enjoyed a 29 percent drop in disability, compared with a I percent decline in medical patients. - Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics - May 2000;23. Vertigo Imagine your body is a spinning top; the room swirling around you in a vicious blur - even when you are lying in bed. Remaining vertical isn't an option with vertigo. Episodes strike without warning and leave patients with few options but to wait it out. Currently, the possible connection between vertebral subluxation and vertigo is a point of hot debate. A just-published German report, however, has established a link between the two conditions. The study included 67 patients with vertigo. Patients were evaluated for a specific type of neurological reaction associated with vertigo, known as a vestibulospinal reaction, before and after receiving chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine. Results revealed that vertebral subluxations may spawn the vestibulospinal reactions that trigger vertigo, and that chiropractic adjustments may halt this chain of events. The study's authors noted, "A highly significant improvement of pathological vestibulospinal re ctions was seen after chiropractic [ adjustements ] of the spine. These results show that a functional disorder of the cervical vertebrae influences the vestibulospinal reactions." - HNO - April 2000;48:295-301; Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics - June 2000;23:96-100. An Ounce of Prevention As prevention specialists, chiropractors care for the whole person - not merely the back. In addition to spinal health, doctors of chiropractic emphasize stress reduction, exercise and nutrition. For instance, a report published in August 2000 substantiates that a whopping 90 percent of chiropractors provide nutritional information to their patients. In this office, for example, we produce an Optimal Health UniversityTM handout on a specific late-breaking nutrition topic each month. - Journal of the American Dietetic Association - August 2000; 100:928. Chiropractic Gets Results The research conducted in 2000 further solidifies chiropractic's status as a highly-effective method for overcoming many serious health conditions. Help spread the word about this powerful form of health care, and keep your loved ones healthy by sharing these research results with your family and friends.

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