More evidence than you might think
There is more evidence for the utilization of chiropractic for back pain than any medical procedure, and the body of research is still growing.
Evidence-based care
Chiropractic research
Chiropractic doesn't directly treat health conditions, it aims to resolve issues with homeostasis by improving the health of your nervous system, which can indirectly influence the health of other systems.
A note from Dr. Brad
Some people think chiropractors are just quacks.
I even had one guy tell me I probably got my degree from a Cracker Jack box. Another tried to convince me that he could get a chiropractic degree and license online. I guess my best response is, verify the qualifications of the chiropractor before they ever work on you. Cracker Jack boxes should only be used for an insulin spike and worthless prizes.
The fact is that there is more evidence for the utilization of chiropractic for back pain than any medical procedure. There is also mounting evidence and case studies showing the efficacy of chiropractic for other health maladies.
I was inspired to become a chiropractor because of the help that I received with my history with asthma. Back then, there was very little good research that showed the positive relationship between chiropractic and other health conditions. I began chiropractic care because a chiropractor gave me hope, and I simply acted on faith. That may work for some people. Others want solid evidence, and the good news is, every year we are getting more.
Important framing
Chiropractic does not treat health conditions like high blood pressure, ear infections, bed-wetting, asthma, diabetes, ulcers, or anything else.
Chiropractic works at restoring a more homeostatic environment in your body through improving the health of your nerve system. Because your nerve system directly or indirectly controls or influences all of your other systems, the health of those systems can improve when the health of your nerve system improves.
What the research shows.
Beyond just pain
Mounting evidence and case studies support chiropractic for headaches, asthma symptoms, ear infections in children, and more.
Whole-system perspective
Chiropractic doesn't directly treat conditions, it improves the health of the nervous system, which controls or influences every other system in the body.
By the numbers.
0+
Years of clinical practice
Since the first adjustment in 1895.
0%
Lower opioid use
Among adults receiving chiropractic care for low back pain.
#0
Most evidence for back pain
More than any medical procedure available today.
Selected studies
Highlights from the literature.
01 Low back pain
Spinal manipulation is recommended as a first-line, non-pharmacologic treatment for chronic low back pain by multiple national clinical guidelines.
American College of Physicians (Ann Intern Med, 2017)
02 Neck pain
Cervical spinal manipulation combined with exercise produced superior outcomes compared to medication alone for chronic neck pain over 12 weeks of care.
Bronfort et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2012)
03 Headaches & migraines
Patients receiving chiropractic spinal manipulation for migraine headaches reported significant reductions in frequency, duration, and disability scores.
Tuchin et al. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 2000)
04 Cost-effectiveness
Chiropractic care was found to be more effective, safer, and more cost-effective than medical management for low back pain.
Manga Report, Government of Ontario (1993)
05 Patient satisfaction
Chiropractic patients consistently report higher satisfaction with care than patients of family practitioners for the same complaint.
Cherkin & MacCornack (West J Med, 1989)
06 Opioid reduction
Adults receiving chiropractic care for low back pain were 49% less likely to fill an opioid prescription than those who saw a medical provider only.
Corcoran et al. (Pain Medicine, 2020)
Citations summarized for general education. Visit your local medical library or PubMed for the full text of any study.
If you are the type of person that wants some research, this page is a good starting point for you. We'll continue to add links and summaries, and if you have specific questions about a study or a condition, please ask. We love this stuff.
Evidence is great. Experiencing it is better.