Your M.D. will recommend Chiropractic treatment - if he or she has kept up to date on medical research!

Numerous studies have validated the efficacy and safety of Chiropractic over the last 20 years. In progressive medical circles, this research has forged a beneficial cooperative relationship between M.D.'s and D.C.'s (Doctors of Chiropractic).

Many chiropractors regularly work with medical doctors now, to provide safe and effective care for neck pain, back pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other painful conditions. (To meet some M.D.'s who use this approach, go to: http://www.akashacenter.com )

In fact, the respected medical journal, The Journal of Family Practice, published an article in 1992 listing "Guidelines for Identifying a Competent Chiropractor", to help M.D.'s find chiropractors to whom they could feel confident referring their patients. Those guidelines are:

1. Treatment mainly for musculoskeletal disorders
2. Doesn't do routine x-rays on every patient
3. Doesn't extend duration of treatment unnecessarily
4. Writes a response to a medical referral and outlines evaluation and therapy
5. Doesn't charge "front end" lump sum for whole treatment program
6. Graduated from CCE accredited school
7. Willing to have M.D. visit office to observe treatment
8. Good feedback from patient on care given

(Reference: Curtis, Bove. The JOURNAL OF FAMILY PRACTICE, 1992; 35(5): 551-555 Guidelines for Identifying A Competent Chiropractor)

Another medical voice in support of chiropractic treatment came from George Waddell, M.D., himself an orthopedic surgeon, and the chief medical officer for the World Health Organization in 1997. He reported on low back pain treatments in the another prestigious medical journal, Spine:

"Traditional medical treatment...has failed. Bed rest: (as a treatment) should die as soon as it can. Avoid if possible. Physical Therapy: there is no adequate evidence of effectiveness. Spinal manipulation: one of the two treatments of proven value., The past ten years has produced a lot of solid scientific evidence to support the value of manipulation." ( Reference: Waddell G, MD. The Back Pain Revolution. ... SPINE 1997; 22(14):1545- 1552. )


But sadly, old prejudices and misinformation die hard.

A study published in SPINE, three years after the article mentioned above, surveyed medical doctors about their beliefs on the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment for low back pain. The doctors surveyed said that only 3% had recommended spinal manipulation for their patients with low back pain or sciatica.

For the same conditions, these doctors expressed a belief in the effectiveness of Physical Therapy (81-93%), bedrest longer than 3 days (72%) and TENS units (74%). Yet reputable studies published in respected medical journals have compared the outcomes of those therapies to the outcomes of chiropractic treatment, with chiropractic results much better than Physical Therapy, Bedrest, or TENS units. (Click on "Got Proof?" from Home page for details.)

In fact, the research has been so compelling, that the governments of the United States and Canada, have both released reports supporting chiropractic treatment of low back pain over medical treatment. (Low back pain is the condition most researched with regard to chiropractic spinal manipulation, since it is the 3rd most common ailment for which patients see a doctor.)

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service:

Bigos et al, Acute Low Back Problems in Adults. AHCPR* Clinical Guidelines No. 14: AHCPR, December 1994. (800) 358-9295 Recommends Spinal Manipulation as manual therapy for symptomatic relief and functional improvement of the back. States "Surgery has been found to be helpful in only 1 in 100 cases of low back pain", and even a lot of back pain by itself doesn't mean you need surgery. Lists Potential Harms and Side Effects of Bed Rest, and states "Prolonged bed rest for more than 4 days may lead to debilitation and is not recommended for treating acute low back problems...The majority of low back patients will not require bed rest." (P.53)

from the Manga Report for the Ontario Ministry of Health, (Canadian government) 1998:

Chiropractic care is safer, more effective, reduces both disability and chronicity. Chiropractic reduces the spiralling of health care costs which occurs in the medical system. (copy of Manga report available (800) 622-6309)

From the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders (W.A.D.), 1995:

"manipulation and mobilization by trained persons and active exercises are useful in grade II and III W.A.D., but prolonged use of cervical collars, rest or inactivity probably prolongs disability. ( Reference: Spitzer, Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders (W.A.D.), 1995; 20(8S): 1S-73S )