Definition of Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a discipline that focuses on the relationship between spinal structure and body function mediated by the nervous system. It originated in 1895 with D.D. Palmer, a popular hands-on healer practicing in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer’s formulation of “chiropractic” combined the Greek cheir (hand) and praxis (practice).
Explore Chiropractic research in the following databases:
PubMed Trip Cochrane*
*The Cochrane database requires users to enter the search term manually. Enter “chiropractic”
Research Spotlight
The databases often return hundreds of medical studies for a single wellness approach. This section summarizes a sampling of five studies – providing just a taste of the available research.
- Chiropractic Interventions Improve Pain/Disability for Lower Back Pain
A Cochrane meta-review of 12 randomized trials involving 2,887 participants concluded that chiropractic interventions slightly improved pain and disability in the short-term and pain in the medium-term for acute and subacute lower back pain. However, there is currently no evidence that supports or refutes that these interventions provide a clinically meaningful difference for pain or disability when compared to other interventions – and more research is needed.
Access this Chiropractic Treatment study - Chiropractic Treatments Worked Better than Painkillers for Neck Pain
A randomized controlled trial (272 subjects) reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that treatments by a chiropractor (as well as exercises at home) worked better than painkillers in treating neck pain. After 12 weeks, 32% of those that had chiropractic spinal manipulation sessions reported their pain had improved 100%, vs. 30% for the home exercise group, and 13% of those on pain medication – and these proportions were broadly the same after a year.
Access this Chiropractic Treatment study - Chiropractic Therapy Reduces Back Pain in Young Adults
A randomized controlled, “pragmatic” trial (2013) found that chiropractic therapy in conjunction with standard medical care offered a significant advantage for decreasing pain and improving physical functioning when compared with only standard care, for people aged between 18-35 with acute lower back pain.
Access this Chiropractic Treatment study - Chiropractic Visits Help Greatly Reduce Frequency of Work-related Back Surgeries
A prospective, population-based study (2013) of 1,885 U.S. workers analyzed the predictors of lumbar spine surgery within 3 years of an occupational back injury, finding that first seeing a chiropractor was associated with low odds of surgery. 42.7% of workers who first saw a surgeon had surgery, vs. only 1.5% of those who saw a chiropractor.
Access this Chiropractic Treatment study
Studies-in-Progress/Clinical Trials Underway
A clinical trial is any research study that assigns people to health-related interventions to evaluate the outcomes. “Interventions” include drugs, surgical procedures, devices, behavioral treatments, preventive care, etc.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: explore trials underway in the U.S.
- World Health Organization: explore trials happening across the globe. When you reach WHO’s search page, please type in “chiropractic.”
Access all studies currently available for Chiropractic in these databases:
PubMed Trip Cochrane*
*The Cochrane database requires users to enter the search term manually. Enter “chiropractic”
