Research
Spinal Manipulation & Alignment
This page highlights selected research related to chiropractic care, spinal manipulation, and musculoskeletal conditions.
1. Low Back Pain and Neck Pain
A study published in the British Medical Journal compared manual therapy, physiotherapy, and general practitioner care in patients with neck pain over a 52-week period.
Additional research has compared chiropractic care with medical management for chronic low-back pain and has examined patient-reported improvement and satisfaction.
An NIH-funded study of 272 participants compared spinal manipulative therapy, medication, and home exercise for neck pain. Participants were followed for both short- and longer-term outcomes.
2. Headaches and Migraines
Research has examined spinal manipulation and chiropractic care in patients with certain types of headache, including tension-type headache and migraine. Results vary according to headache type, patient characteristics, and study design.
3. Sciatica
Clinical research has evaluated spinal manipulation and other conservative treatments for sciatica and related symptoms. Treatment recommendations depend on the cause and severity of symptoms and the individual patient’s clinical findings.
4. Pediatric Conditions
Research has explored chiropractic and manual therapies in children for a variety of complaints. Pediatric patients require age-appropriate evaluation, and evidence for many non-musculoskeletal childhood conditions remains limited.
5. Neurological Conditions
Research continues to explore relationships between spinal mechanics, neurological function, pain processing, and the nervous system. Findings in these areas should be interpreted according to the specific study population, methods, and measured outcomes.
6. Blood Pressure
Some research has examined short-term blood-pressure changes following upper-cervical procedures. These findings should not be interpreted as a replacement for established hypertension evaluation or treatment.
7. Surgery and Conservative Care
For many musculoskeletal conditions, conservative treatment may be considered before invasive procedures when clinically appropriate. The appropriate treatment depends on the diagnosis, severity of symptoms, neurological findings, imaging, and other medical factors.
8. Frozen Shoulder
Manual therapy, exercise, and rehabilitation approaches have been studied in patients with adhesive capsulitis, commonly called frozen shoulder. Treatment is selected according to the stage and severity of the condition.
9. Scoliosis
Research has examined exercise, rehabilitation, bracing, and other conservative approaches in patients with scoliosis. Management depends on factors such as age, skeletal maturity, curve magnitude, progression, and symptoms.
10. Athletic Performance
Chiropractic and other manual therapies are used by some athletes for musculoskeletal care, mobility, pain management, and recovery. The effects of treatment on athletic performance depend on the condition being treated and the intervention used.
Nutritional Assessment & Treatment
Changing Gut Bacteria Through Diet Affects Brain Function
Rachel Champeau | UCLA Newsroom | May 28, 2013
UCLA researchers reported evidence that altering the intestinal microbiota through consumption of beneficial bacteria was associated with measurable differences in brain activity in healthy women.
The study examined communication between the gastrointestinal system and the brain and contributed to growing research into the gut-brain connection.
Metabolic Testing & Treatment
Research has examined relationships among nutritional status, trace elements, environmental exposures, and different aspects of human health. Interpretation of mineral or trace-element testing depends on the specimen tested, the clinical question, and the methods used.
Learning and Neurological Development
Research has examined relationships between essential minerals, toxic metals, and neurological development.
Metals and Neurotoxicology. Wright RO, et al. Journal of Nutrition. 2007.
Autism Research
Some observational studies have examined trace-element concentrations in children with autism. Observational associations do not by themselves establish that a measured element causes autism or that correcting the measurement treats autism.
Priya L, Geetha A. Level of Trace Elements and Toxic Elements in the Hair and Nail of Children with Autism. Biological Trace Element Research. 2010.
Cardiovascular Health
Research has examined the cardiovascular effects of exposure to heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium, as well as the roles of essential trace elements in cardiovascular physiology.
Houston MC. The Role of Mercury and Cadmium Heavy Metals in Vascular Disease, Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease and Myocardial Infarction. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2007.
Scoliosis and Trace Elements
Investigators have studied trace-element concentrations in biological samples from patients with idiopathic scoliosis.
Dastych M, et al. Changes of Selenium, Copper and Zinc Content in Hair and Serum of Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2008.
Hypertension and Diabetes
Research has also examined associations between trace-element levels and cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
Sukumar A, Subramanian R. Elements in hair and nails of urban residents of New Delhi: CHD, hypertensive, and diabetic cases. Biological Trace Element Research. 1992.