Tag: ccachiro

What Happens During a Treatment?

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During your first visit, the chiropractor will want to know about your health history as well as your current complaint. Your home and work life as well as your level of physical activity may also affect your health, so don’t be surprised to be asked questions about these.

Although chiropractors use their hands for most treatments, they also use other methods such as heat, light, specialized adjusting instruments, ultrasound, electrotherapy, personalized exercise programs, muscle-testing and balancing. Your chiropractor can also give you information and guidance on how you can stay healthy through proper nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes.

Efficacy Of Chiropractic Treatment

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The following is a small sampling of the large volume of research conducted into chiropractic effectiveness and safety.

Efficacy of Chiropractic Treatment

The Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain, Shekelle PG, Adams AH, Chassin MR, Hurwitz EL, Brooke RH. Commissioned by the RAND research corporation, Document No. R-4025/1-CCR/FCER, 1991.

Conclusion: Support is consistent for the use of spinal manipulation as a treatment for patients with acute low-back pain and an absence of other signs of lower-limb, nerve-root involvement.

Chronic Spinal Pain Syndromes: A Clinical Pilot Trial Comparing Acupuncture, a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug and Spinal Manipulation, Lynton GF, Muller, R, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 22:376-81, 1999.

Conclusion: Spinal manipulation, if not contraindicated, results in greater improvement than acupuncture and medicine.

Randomised Comparison of Chiropractic and Hospital Outpatient Management for Low Back Pain: Results from Extended Follow-up, Meade TW, Dyer S, Browne W, Frank AO, The British Medical Journal, Vol 311, August 5, 1995.

Conclusion: Those treated by chiropractic derive more benefit and long term satisfaction than those treated by hospitals.

Trunk Exercise Combined with Spinal Manipulative or NSAID therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Observer-Blinded Clinical Trial, Bronfort G, Goldsmith CH, Nelson CF, Boline PD, Anderson AV, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Vol 19, No 9 Nov/Dec 1996.

Conclusion: Each of the three therapeutic regimes was associated with similar and clinically important improvement over time, however, there was an increase in adverse reactions with NSAIDS.

Manipulative Therapy Versus Education Programs in Chronic Low Back Pain, Triano JJ, McGregor M, Hondras MA, Brennan PC, Spine, Vol 20, No 8, 948-955, 1995.

Conclusion: Greater improvement was noted in pain and activity tolerance in the manipulation group. Immediate benefit from pain relief continued to accrue after manipulation, even for the last encounter at the end of the 2-week treatment interval.

Multicenter Trial of Physiotherapy in the Management of Sciatic Symptoms, Coxhead CE et al, Lancet, 1:1065-1068, 1981.

Conclusion: Greater reductions in perceived pain were reported by those in the spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) group. Combinations of SMT and exercise produced the optimal results.

Chiropractic in the United States: Training, Practice and Research, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AHCPR Research Report, Dec.1997.

Chiropractic in New Zealand, Report of the Commission of Inquiry, Hasselberg PD, Government Printer, Wellington, 1979.

Medicare Benefits Review Committee, Thompson CJ, Commonwealth Government Printer, Australia 1986.

Legitimization for Vissa Kiropraktorer, Commission on Alternative Medicine, SOU, 1987.

Efficacy of Various Forms of Conservative Treatment in Low Back Pain, Postacchini F, et al, Neuro-Orthop, 6:28-35, 1988.

Conclusion: Spinal manipulative therapy was found to be the superior treatment in acute cases.

Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Low Back Pain, Kirkaldy-Willis WH, Cassidy JD, Canadian Family Physician, 31:535-540, 1985.

Conclusion: Strong support for the value of manipulation in the treatment of chronic lumbar facet and sacroiliac syndrome.

Spinal Manipulation for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Review of the Evidence, Vernon H, Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 40(3), 1996.

The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain. Manga P, Angus D, Papadopoulos C, Swan W. Commissioned by the OCA. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health. 1993.

Conclusion: On the evidence, particularly the most scientifically valid clinical studies, spinal manipulation applied by chiropractors is shown to be more effective than alternative treatments for LBP [lower back pain]. Many medical therapies are of questionable validity or are clearly inadequate. There is an overwhelming body of evidence indicating that chiropractic management of LBP is more cost-effective than medical management.

Chiropractic Services Review, An Internal Review, Wells et al. Commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of Health, 1994.

Conclusion: On the grounds of effectiveness, safety, patient satisfaction and public acceptance of chiropractic services, particularly in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, chiropractic services should continue to be funded by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

Paediatric Chiropractic

The Short-Term Effect of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Infantile Colic: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial with a Blinded Observer, Wiberg JMM, Nordsteen J, Nilsson N, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Vol 22, No 8, October 1999.

Conclusion: Spinal Manipulation is effective in relieving infantile colic.

Musculoskeletal Pain in Primary Paediatric Care: Analysis of 1000 Consecutive General Paediatric Clinic Visits, de Inocenio J, Paediatrics, Vol. 102 No. 6, Dec. 1998.

Conclusion: MSP [musculoskeletal pain] represents a frequent presenting complaint in general paediatric practice. A new heightened awareness of the frequent occurrence of MSP should be adopted when designing paediatrics continuing medical education and training programs.

A Comparison of Active and Simulated Chiropractic Manipulation as Adjunctive Treatment for Childhood Asthma, Balon J et al, The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 339, No. 15, October 1998.

Conclusion: Spinal manipulative therapy is not effective in relieving childhood asthma.

Conditions Treated

Use of Chiropractic Services from 1985 through 1991 in the United States and Canada. Hurwitz EL, Coulter ID, Adams AH, Genovese B, Shekelle PG, American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 88, No 5, 771-776, May 1998.

Conclusions: Approximately 96 percent of patients seek chiropractic care for conditions mostly related to the neuromusculoskeletal system. These health problems included back disorders, arthritis and rheumatism, headaches and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Job Analysis of Chiropractic in Canada. Published by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, 1993.

Chiropractors: Do They Help?, Kelner M, Hall O, Coulter I, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Toronto, 1980.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Chiropractic Patients: A five year study of patients treated at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Waalen DP, White TP, Waalen JK, Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 38(2): 75-82, 1994.

Canadian Chiropractic Resources Databank: A Profile of Canadian Chiropractors, Kopansky-Giles D, Papadopoulos C, Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 41(3): 155-191, 1997.

Trends in Alternative Medicine Use in the United States. 1990-1997. Results of a Follow-up National Survey. Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, et al. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 280: 1569-1575, 1998.

Use of Alternative Health Care Practitioners by Canadians. Millar WJ, Canadian Journal of Public Health, May-June 1997.

Chiropractic and Safety

The conclusions from the following references are summarized in the Fact File document titled Chiropractic and Safety.

The Appropriateness of Manipulation and Mobilization of the Cervical Spine: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Hurwitz EL, Aker PD, Adams AH, Meeker WC, Shekelle PG, Spine, 21(15); 1746-1760, 1996.

Risk Factors and Precipitating Neck Movements Causing Vertebrobasilar Artery Dissection After Cervical Trauma and Spinal Manipulation. Haldeman S, Kohlbeck FJ, McGregor M, Spine, 24(8); 785-794, 1999.

Perspectives: An Overview of Comparative Considerations of Cerebrovascular Accidents, Rome PL, Chiropractic Journal of Australia, Vol. 29, No. 3, September 1999.

Carotid Artery Dissection due to Elongated Styloid Process, Zuber M, Mos JI, Neurology, November 1999.

A Risk Assessment of Cervical Manipulation v. NSAIDS for the Treatment of Neck Pain, Dabbs V, Lauretti WJ, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 18:530-6, 1995.

Redefining Whiplash and Its Management: Scientific monograph of the Quebec task force on whiplash-associated disorders. Spitzer WO, Skovron ML et al, Spine, 20:85, 1995.

Conservative Management of Mechanical Neck Pain: A Systematic Overview and Meta-Analysis. Aker PD, Gross AR, et al, The British Medical Journal, 313: 1291-96, 1996.

May, 2000

What Results Can I Expect From Treatment?

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CCAChiro.org – That depends on your condition. The length of time you have had the problem, your age and the degree of your disability all affect the length of your treatment. Your chiropractic doctor should tell you the extent of treatment recommended, and how long you can expect it to last.

One of the main reasons people choose chiropractic is that they often get quick results. Individual cases vary and chronic conditions obviously need more treatment, but Workers’ Compensation Board studies show, for example, that people with low back pain get back to work much faster with chiropractic care.

You might also consider the benefits of regular chiropractic adjustments even when you feel healthy. Sometimes you won’t know you have a disorder of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system until it becomes acute and painful. So, just as you see your dentist to have your teeth checked and your optometrist for eye exams, regular visits to your chiropractor can catch related health conditions early, often preventing them from developing into major problems. Remember, your spine is every bit as susceptible to wear and tear as your teeth and your eyes so you should look after it.

How Do I Find A Chiropractor?

Chiropractors are “primary contact” health care providers, which means you don’t have to be referred to them by a physician or anyone else. You can select your own chiropractor. As with any other professional, referrals from friends and acquaintances are an excellent way to find a good chiropractor. The Yellow Pages can also come in handy to help you find one in your area. There are over 6,000 chiropractors in Canada. Another way is to use the CCA’s own Chiropractic Locator found on the upper right-hand corner of the home page.

About Chiropractic FAQ

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Content

  • Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?
  • How is chiropractic manipulation performed?
  • Can chiropractic treatment cure colds, earaches and other ailments?
  • Is chiropractic manipulation a safe procedure?
  • Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
  • Does chiropractic treatment require x-rays?
  • Can chiropractic treatment provide a preventative function?

 

Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?

No. A patient does not have to be referred. Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact health professionals in every province in Canada. This means that patients can consult them directly. However, chiropractors often work closely with MDs, 44 per cent of whom refer their patients to chiropractors when they believe chiropractic treatment will help alleviate a patient’s condition.1

How is chiropractic manipulation performed?

Chiropractic manipulation is a manual procedure which utilizes the highly-refined skills developed during four intensive years of chiropractic education. The chiropractor uses his/her hands to manipulate the spine in order to restore or enhance spinal functioning.

Manipulation is a highly controlled procedure which rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

Can chiropractic treatment cure colds, earaches and other ailments?

Chiropractic care cannot “cure” these conditions, but there is evidence to indicate that spinal manipulation may have a beneficial effect on a variety of conditions. More research is needed in these areas before definitive benefits can be claimed.

It is important to distinguish between primary treatment and treatment of secondary symptoms. For example, if a patient has an aching ear that is related to the musculoskeletal structures around the ear, and which is not the result of a bacterial infection, then chiropractic treatment may alleviate the pain. This would be considered primary treatment.

If there is ear pain caused by a bacterial infection, then chiropractic care is not the primary treatment, but may help alleviate some of the secondary – or referred – pain arising from the musculoskeletal reaction to the ear infection. This would be considered secondary treatment where chiropractic plays a complementary role in the treatment of a condition.

So, chiropractic care cannot cure a cold or an ear infection, but it may reduce the pain response. Similarly, chiropractic care can be of benefit in relieving musculoskeletal symptoms that are present with other chronic diseases such as cancer or AIDS.

Is chiropractic manipulation a safe procedure?

Chiropractic treatment is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to common musculoskeletal conditions such as neck and back pain. As such, it is a very low risk therapy. In extremely rare situations – between one or two out of one million treatments – there is a possibility that manipulation of the upper neck may contribute to a stroke.

Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?

There are many reasons why a child might benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from participating in sports which can cause back pain and discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is highly skilled and, in the case of children, is very gentle.

While there is a wealth of clinical evidence that musculoskeletal treatment of infants has many positive effects, well-controlled studies are required to verify some of the benefits that are commonly seen in practice.

Most recently, a research report published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics concluded that “spinal manipulation is effective in relieving infantile colic.”2 The study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer and compared the effect of chiropractic therapy with a commonly prescribed medication used to relieve colic.

A study of chiropractic as complementary therapy for children receiving asthma medication, concluded that spinal manipulation did not provide additional benefits.3 This study which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in October 1998, is another example of how research continues to inform chiropractic treatment.

Does chiropractic treatment require x-rays?

Guidelines have been developed by the chiropractic profession with regard to the use of X-rays as a diagnostic tool. X-rays provide vital information to help determine a diagnosis but they are not required in every case. In fact, at CMCC from 1997 to 1998 fewer than 20 per cent of chiropractic patients received X-rays, and only 6 percent of patients under the age of 16 required an X-ray.

Use of X-ray as a diagnostic tool by chiropractors, and all other health professionals, is governed in Ontario by guidelines as set out by the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Commission (HARP). X-rays can play an important role in diagnosis but are only taken when a need has been determined by a careful case history and physical examination. Chiropractors receive 360 hours of education in radiology covering a full range of topics from protection to X-ray interpretation and diagnosis. Governments in every province have recognized the training and competence of chiropractors to perform X-rays and have granted them this right.

Can chiropractic treatment provide a preventative function?

Clinical experience suggests that individuals with chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis or recurrent neck pain, back pain or headaches experience less frequent and less severe symptoms when under regular chiropractic care. This also applies to individuals in highly stressful situations and those who experience repetitive physical and postural strain from their daily activities.

Whether ongoing chiropractic treatment can prevent back pain from occurring in the first place or prevent a previous condition from re-occurring requires further study.

May, 2000

 

1. Alternative Medicine and General Practitioners: Opinions and Behaviours, Vernoef MJ, Sutherland LR, Canadian Family Physician, 41:1005-11, 1995.

2. The Short-Term Effect of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Infantile Colic, Wiberg JMM et al, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Vol. 22, No. 8, October 1999.

3. A Comparison of Active and Simulated Chiropractic Manipulation as Adjunctive Treatment for Childhood Asthma, Balon J et al, The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 339, No. 15, October 1998.

Commonly Held Views About Chiropractic

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Content

  • What kind of education and training do chiropractors have?
  • Is chiropractic regulated in Canada?
  • Is chiropractic covered by government health plans?
  • How many people see chiropractors?
  • What conditions do chiropractors treat?
  • Why do chiropractors take X-rays?
  • Is chiropractic really scientific?
  • Isn’t there a risk of stroke associated with neck manipulation?
  • Why do chiropractors treat children?
  • Do chiropractors refer patients to medical doctors when necessary?
  • Do medical doctors refer patients to chiropractors?
  • Do chiropractors take a medical history?
  • Once you go to a chiropractor, don’t they make you keep going for the rest of your life?
  • Is every patient’s treatment the same?
  • Even if I want to refer to a chiropractor, can patients afford it?
  • How can I find a suitable chiropractor for my patient if I want to make a referral?

What kind of education and training do chiropractors have?

Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with an emphasis on neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas: basic training in the biological and health sciences, specialized training in the chiropractic discipline, and extensive clinical training. Becoming a chiropractor in Canada requires a minimum of 6 years of post-secondary education including no less than 4500 hours of classroom and clinical instruction at an institution approved by the Council on Chiropractic Education Canada.

Is chiropractic regulated in Canada?

Like medicine and dentistry, chiropractic is a self-regulating profession, and each provincial chiropractic regulatory body has the authority to grant a license to practice chiropractic. There are Chiropractic Acts in all 10 provinces and the Yukon Territory which establish a self-regulatory process which includes extensive testing for licensure. In all provinces, licensure requirements include a minimum of two years pre-professional university studies, graduation from an accredited chiropractic institution (4 or 5 years), and passing national and provincial board examinations.

Is chiropractic covered by government health plans?

Chiropractic services are partially covered by the provincial health plans of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Most federal government departments (such as the RCMP and Veteran’s Affairs) also cover chiropractic services. All worker’s compensation boards and most employer and other third party insurance plans cover chiropractic services as well, thereby making it affordable health care by most Canadians.

How many people see chiropractors?

Public surveys and published studies are finding that the proportion of Canadians that are consulting chiropractors is rising every year. Statistics Canada data found that over 11 percent (3 million) Canadians consulted a chiropractor in 1996. The figures today are closer to 15 percent, or over 4 million Canadians annually. There are approximately 35 million office visits to chiropractors each year.

What conditions do chiropractors treat?

Chiropractors are experts trained in the neuromusculoskeletal system . They diagnose and treat disorders of the spine and other body joints by adjusting the spinal column or through other corrective manipulation. Chiropractors provide conservative management of neuromusculoskeletal disorders including, but not limited to, back, neck and head pain (over 90 percent of conditions treated). They also advise patients on corrective exercises, lifestyle and nutrition.

Why do chiropractors take X-rays?

Chiropractors are trained in physical diagnosis including the use of X-rays. The science of radiology is a major component of chiropractic education, and chiropractors are licensed in each province, through chiropractic legislation, to take and interpret X-rays for their patients. An important reason for the use of X-rays is to detect contra-indications for spinal manipulation.

Is chiropractic really scientific? [Top]

Chiropractic is a healing discipline firmly grounded in science. Few other health care interventions have been assessed as extensively as chiropractic manipulation, both in terms of safety and effectiveness. Furthermore, few other health care professions have been as thoroughly researched as chiropractic. There have been at least six formal government inquiries into chiropractic worldwide over the last 25 years and all have concluded that contemporary chiropractic care is safe, effective, cost-effective and have recommended public funding for chiropractic services. In addition, there have been countless scientific clinical studies (randomized controlled trials included) assessing the appropriateness, effectiveness, and/or cost-effectiveness of spinal manipulation or chiropractic manipulation, most notably for low back pain. The Medical Research Council of Canada now offers research grants in partnership with the Canadian Chiropractic Association to chiropractors and other scientists for high quality, chiropractic research.

Isn’t there a risk of stroke associated with neck manipulation?

The risk of stroke from neck manipulation is extremely remote, and probably not greater than the risk from natural neck movements such as tilting your head into a sink for hair washing, or turning your head to back up when driving. Medical literature estimates the risk of having a stroke that may be related to chiropractic treatments to be anywhere from 1 in 400,000 to 1 in several million. In fact, the risk of serious complications or even death attributed to the use of NSAIDs is much greater for neck pain than the slight risk of injury from chiropractic manipulation. Chiropractors are well trained to recognize risk factors in patients, and treatments are not performed when there is a risk identified.

Why do chiropractors treat children?

Chiropractic treatment is based on the basic biological and physiological sciences which apply equally to children as they do to the adults. Chiropractic treatment is as beneficial to children as it is to adults, and children should be seen by chiropractors when appropriate. The scientific literature is now demonstrating that low back pain is a very prevalent condition amongst school children. For example a 1992 study in the American Journal of Public Health found that the prevalence of low back pain in adolescents up to age 15 is over 36 percent, and thus concluding that LBP in adolescents is a serious public health problem.1 As well, children can benefit by periodic spinal examinations where the chiropractor will look for clues to possible postural weaknesses that may predispose children to later problems related to their spine and skeleton.

Do chiropractors refer patients to medical doctors when necessary?

Yes, like medical doctors, chiropractors refer patients to other professionals when they feel it is appropriate. Chiropractors are well trained to recognize risk factors as well as individual disease patterns and will not hesitate to make a referral when it is in the best interest of the patient’s health.

Do medical doctors refer patients to chiropractors?

Absolutely. Recent studies have shown that the majority of medical doctors in Canada refer patients to chiropractors for musculoskeletal conditions. For example, a 1995 study in the Canadian Family Physician found that almost 60 percent of Canadian family physicians perceived chiropractic as useful or very useful and that over 83 percent referred patients to chiropractors. 2

Do chiropractors take a medical history?

Like M.D.’s, the chiropractor will take a detailed health history during the first visit, prior to initial treatment. This will include details on lifestyle and risk factors to give the chiropractor a full picture of the patient’s health in order to determine the best treatment. As well, a detailed health history is important to rule out any contra-indications and fully investigate risk factors before a diagnosis and treatment recommendation can be reached.

Once you go to a chiropractor, don’t they make you keep going for the rest of your life?

The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what sends patients back to the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (ie. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, preventative and/or maintenance care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. The average number of annual visits per patient is eight.

Is every patient’s treatment the same?

The treatment a patient receives is related to the specific condition diagnosed by the chiropractor, and will vary from person to person depending on each person’s unique situation. Like M.D.’s chiropractors follow generally accepted protocols and guidelines.

Even if I want to refer to a chiropractor, can patients afford it?

Chiropractic services are partially covered by the health plans of five provinces, all worker’s compensation boards, most federal departments and a majority of private insurer plans. Most employees have chiropractic coverage under their work insurance plan as well. Therefore, cost of care should not be an impediment to referring your patients to a chiropractor.

How can I find a suitable chiropractor for my patient if I want to make a referral?

As with any other health care professional, patients usually seek the services of a specific chiropractor through the referral of friends and acquaintances. Some family physicians are now working with chiropractors in a group practice setting or referring patients to one. Therefore, your medical colleagues could provide you with a name of a local chiropractor. Don’t hesitate to visit the chiropractors in your building or down the street from your practice. The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) has a chiropractor locator service on its web site, for finding chiropractors through the first three digits of the postal code. Only chiropractors who are CCA members and therefore must have malpractice insurance coverage are on this site.

References

1. Olsen et al. The Epidemiology of Low Back Pain in an Adolescent Population. American Journal of Public Health. 1992; 82(4): 606-608.
2. Verhoef, M.J., Sutherland. L.R. Alternative Medicine and General Practitioners; Opinions and Behaviour. Canadian Family Physician 1995; 41: 1005-1011.

Is Chiropractic An Evidence-Based Health Care?

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The history and development of chiropractic, in many ways, mirrors the advance of medical understanding over the past century. During the late 1800’s, the concept of “spinal irritation” was popular in medical circles and the practice of chiropractic was consistent with many aspects of scientific thought at the time.

These theories seem quaint today, but at the time, the sophisticated workings of the human nervous system – and the spinal cord which the bones of the spine protect – were barely known and many branches of medicine were searching for theories to explain how the human body worked.

As science advanced, so did understanding of the neurological principles which underlie the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment. Today, these principles form the foundation of chiropractic education.

Evidence-based health care

Chiropractic has undergone considerable scrutiny from individuals and organizations within the health care and scientific communities, as well as from chiropractors themselves. This scrutiny has been welcomed and embraced by the profession and has resulted in a significant body of evidence around the efficacy of chiropractic care.

For example, in the area of neck pain and low back pain, more than fifty randomized, controlled clinical trials have been conducted assessing the efficacy of spinal manipulation.1

A leader in chiropractic research

The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) has been a leader in chiropractic research for more than five decades. The College has dedicated itself to the development of an ongoing, productive research program. Faculty have been successful in obtaining research grants from funding agencies and have published extensively in peer-reviewed and refereed chiropractic journals, as well as in multidisciplinary journals such as the British Medical Journal, Spine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Pain and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Over the years, CMCC has developed relationships with faculty in other academic institutions in North America. Research collaborations have taken place with faculty from the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, McMaster University, University of Western Ontario, Institute for Work and Health, St. Michael’s Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Unit, University of Calgary, University of Saskatchewan, The Texas Back Institute, and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton.

In 1996, CMCC partnered with the University of Waterloo to establish Canada’s first chiropractic research clinic within a university.

New headache study

In 1999, CMCC received a three-year, $1 million grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to study chiropractic and medical treatments for tension headaches. This is a multi-disciplinary project with collaborators from the Wellesley Central site of St. Michael’s Hospital and McMaster University.

Colic and asthma research

Most recently, a research report published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics concluded that “spinal manipulation is effective in relieving infantile colic.”2 The study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer and compared the effect of chiropractic treatment with a commonly prescribed medication used to relieve infantile colic.

Another study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in October 1998, looked at chiropractic as complementary therapy for children with medically-managed asthma. It concluded that spinal manipulation did not provide additional benefits.3 This is another example of how research continues to inform chiropractic treatment.

Medical Research Council partnership

In 1998, the Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC) and the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) established two Research Fellowships and two Doctoral Research Awards in chiropractic research. The MRC matches the CCA’s contributions dollar for dollar with the mutual goal of improving the health of Canadians through new knowledge generated by research.

In the same year, the Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC) partnered with the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) to offer two Doctoral Research Awards for faculty. In 1999, MRC and CMCC renewed this partnership to offer two Research Fellowships and one Doctoral Award to pursue research in specific chiropractic-related areas.

Ongoing research will no doubt further expand knowledge of how the spine, and the neural pathways which it protects, affects health.

May, 2000

 

1. See appendix of research references in the Media Fact File.
2. The Short-Term Effect of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Infantile Colic, Wiber JMM et al, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Vol. 22, No. 8, October 1999.
3. A Comparison of Active and Simulated Chiropractic Manipulation as Adjunctive Treatment for Childhood Asthma, Balon J et al, The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 339, No. 15, October 1998.

Canada’s First Chiropractic Research Chair

Canada’s first Chiropractic Research Chair was recently awarded to Dr. Greg Kawchuk DC, PhD at the University of Calgary.

In receiving the award, Dr. Kawchuk has hurdled a stringent peer review process established by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, The Canadian Chiropractic Association, the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation, and the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research. As a result, the Chair becomes the first research position in Canada specifically devoted to chiropractic research that is supported directly by the Federal Government.

Dr. Kawchuk will hold the position of Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the U of C. This historic endeavour and The CCA’s significant long term commitment to facilitating chiropractic research has grown out of the association’s mission statement which clearly sets out “helping Canadians live healthier lives” as paramount. This is completely congruent with Health Canada.

Both CIHR and government recognize the large numbers of Canadians who access alternative and complementary approaches to health care, particularly chiropractic. The joint partnership program is a strong commitment, which ensures talented investigators are provided with the resources and training needed to address the health challenges faced by Canadians and chiropractic patients. As a result, Canadians will enjoy the health benefits that are created by chiropractic research.