Call us to set up an appointment! 708-220-6809

Chiropractic Care Explains the Value of Chiropractic Research

Research makes the healthcare world go ‘round! Research established the role of healthcare’s pain relieving ability. For chiropractic healthcare, much research revolves around providing evidence of chiropractic’s benefit for painful musculoskeletal conditions like back pain, neck pain, arm pain and sciatic leg pain. Chiropractic Care offers just such research-documented, effective care to our West Palm Beach chiropractic patients.

CHALLENGE: DO HIGH QUALITY RESEARCH

One set of back pain researchers challenged fellow researchers to develop long-term plans to decrease the problem of low back pain on sufferers and healthcare systems. They clarified that developing effective strategies remains a daunting task for back pain clinicians, doctors, and researchers. Frustratingly, back pain disability levels have not increased despite an increased quantity of published research papers regarding back pain care. No consensus on the best way to handle low back pain has been achieved. Non-drug and non-invasive methods like exercise, manual therapy, massage, and such are general recommendations. Another group of reviewing researchers pointed to a few problems with back pain research: design and analysis within the treatment clinical trials. (1) Designing research studies is difficult. Designing a “sham” protocol for spinal manipulation that feels like spinal manipulation is really challenging. (Just touching a spine can be relieving some, but that’s a topic for a different discussion!) Observational studies are the next in line. How so? Researchers observe what happens to patients when they undergo treatment and make note of changes and effects. Fortunately, Cox® Technic research has a blend of biomechanical and clinical observational studies resulting in case reports, case series, plus retrospective and prospective clinical studies. Chiropractic Care feels this mix of research support helps outline the expectations our West Palm Beach chiropractic patients may anticipate.

MINIMAL CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Occasionally, chiropractic physicians and low back pain patients alike find themselves frustrated with the outcomes of treatment for back pain. They shouldn’t be! In medicine, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is defined as 30% or 20% and even 10% improvement. That is reported to be an “effective” outcome. Cox® Technic has offered 50% improvement in 30 days as the goal…and still does. Many times, chiropractic patients realize that 50% relief in less than a month and that the 50% relief is closer to 70% or 80% or 90%! Sometimes, a patient’s response may be slower in getting relief or only reaches 30% or 40%. Some patients want more while others, particularly patients who have already undergone back surgery or sought non-relieving care from many other providers, are excited. A study of 1232 low back pain subjects discovered a MCID pain intensity of 2 (meaning a 2 point move on a scale of 0 no pain to 10 worst imaginable pain). That is not a huge move but is realistic. (2) It is a statistic to share. Compared with medical and surgical outcomes for back pain treatment that are as low as 10% or 30% expected improvement MCID, our West Palm Beach chiropractic clinical outcome goals are high and often achieved.

THE CHALLENGE OF CHIROPRACTIC RESEARCH – AND HOW CHIROPRACTIC ANSWERS

Chiropractic, like other complementary and integrative healthcare professions, experiences a little more effort in maintaining a flow of research as many programs are not in large university settings with well-established and well-funded research departments. Global chiropractic researchers are seeking am amswer.  Australia, Canada, and Denmark chiropractic researchers have formed a leadership academy (CARL – Chiropractic Academy for Research Leadership) for early-career chiropractic researchers to stimulate more chiropractic research. US-based researchers are turning to the RAND Corporation’s Center for Collaborative CIH Research to combine research talent and resources to advance chiropractic’s quality and quantity of research.  (3,4) Strong research continues at chiropractic universities to document the benefits of chiropractic for musculoskeletal-related pain like back pain, neck pain, arm pain and leg pain.

CONTACT Chiropractic Care

Listen to this PODCAST with Ram Gudavalli, PhD, principal investigator of many Cox® Technic research studies, on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates research studies he’s managed.

Schedule your next West Palm Beach chiropractic appointment today. Bring your questions about the research behind our chiropractic care with you! Chiropractic Care loves to share research! 

 
Chiropractic Care shares the importance and value of chiropractic research in healthcare decision-making and relevance. 
« View All Featured Articles
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."