Research

Historic Grant for Palmer, Rand Corporation, and Samueli Institute To Study Chiropractic Care For Active-duty Military Personnel

By Frank M. Painter|April 8, 2011|News, Research|

Historic Grant for Palmer, Rand Corporation, and Samueli Institute To Study Chiropractic Care For Active-duty Military Personnel

On Febuary 18, 2011 we reported that the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research received a $7.4 million Military Readiness Grant. Here’s an interesting update (4-09-2011) on the proposed study from Dynamic Chiropractic

On the Front Lines With Chiropractic Research

The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program has awarded the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, the RAND Corporation and the Samueli Institute $7.4 million to conduct a four-year research project featuring members of the U.S. military as study subjects.

The primary area of study: the impact of chiropractic treatment on the military readiness of active-duty personnel. Dr. Christine Goertz, Palmer College of Chiropractic’s vice president for research and health policy, who serves as co-principal investigator of the project, summed up the importance of the award: “The three clinical trials to be conducted at six sites across the country under this grant represent the largest coordinated research effort to date within the chiropractic profession. In one of the trials, we will randomize 850 active-duty military personnel at four of the six sites. This represents the largest clinical trial effort to date evaluating chiropractic care.” (more…)

2

Subluxation Reviewed, Revisited, Revitalized

By Frank M. Painter|April 5, 2011|Research, Subluxation|

Subluxation Reviewed, Revisited, Revitalized

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Dynamic Chiropractic

By Malik Slosberg, DC, MS

Our understanding of the biomechanics and neurology of the subluxation continues to evolve as more research is published which helps explain the nature of this lesion. Historically, the subluxation has been at the heart of the identity and purpose of the chiropractic profession.

Contemporary models provide new insights into this elusive and sometimes mysterious problem which we attempt to find by various clinical means and correct by the application of high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts. Let’s review past models, but focus primarily on the latest evidence concerning the subluxation published in the recent scientific literature in order to improve our understanding, insight, and application of clinical interventions to improve patient outcomes with chiropractic care.

Older Models of Subluxation: Static Malposition and Pathology

Over the 115-year history of chiropractic, there have been many varied attempts to explain and clarify the subluxation. In the past, descriptions of this lesion were phrased in pathological terms and often included malposition, distortion of the intervertebral foramen and impingement of nerves as primary components. Henderson, et al., [1] described early notions of subluxation as static mechanical lesions, a misalignment or a bone out of place, as seen on a neutral radiograph. The authors explain that this static model has been vigorously challenged in the scientific literature.

Lantz [2] raised concerns about the strictly static, structural interpretation of vertebral subluxation and introduced his own hierarchical model including kinesiopathology, neuropathology, myopathology, connective tissue pathology, vascular abnormalities, as well as inflammatory response, histopathology, and biochemical abnormalities. Similarly, Dishman [3] described the vertebral subluxation complex in terms of various pathologies including neuropathology, myopathology, kinesiopathology, histopathology, and biochemical abnormalities.

Newer Terminology: Functional Spinal Lesion, Joint Dysfunction With Hypomobility, Joint Complex Dysfunction (more…)

0

WARNING: Conducting an Orchestra Can Cause Vertebral Artery Dissection and Stroke

By Frank M. Painter|March 29, 2011|Research, Safety, Stroke|

WARNING: Conducting an Orchestra Can Cause Vertebral Artery Dissection and Stroke

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: J Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases 2011 (Mar 24)

During the past decade, the issues of cerebrovascular accidents [CVAs] and spinal manipulation have become linked in a debate of ever-increasing intensity. A copious number of studies have investigated spinal manipulation as a putative causative factor of CVAs; however, a common theme among these is the failure to adequately explore the possibility that the majority of CVAs may be spontaneous, cumulative, or caused by factors other than spinal manipulation itself. The problem is only exacerbated by the sometimes hysterical reactions apparent in the mass media over the past three years in reaction to these flawed investigations. [1]

Previous studies have shown that vertebral artery dissections (VADs) have been “caused” by things as innocuous as:

Salon shampoos
Archery
Coughing
Dental procedure
Watching aircraft
Telephone call
Yawning
Bleeding nose
Overhead work (more…)

1

New LBP Study Reveals Chiropractic Is Superior to PT and MD Care

By Frank M. Painter|March 17, 2011|Low Back Pain, Physical Therapy, Research|

New LBP Study Reveals Chiropractic Is Superior to PT and MD Care

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: J Occupational and Enviro Medicine 2011 (Mar 14)

Cifuentes M, Willetts J, Wasiak R.

The Center for Disability Research at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety

This study is unique in that it was conducted by the Center for Disability Research at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Hopkinton, Mass; and the Center for Health Economics & Science Policy at United BioSource Corporation, London, United Kingdom.

Their objective was to compare the occurrences of repeated disability episodes between types of health care providers, who treat claimants with new episodes of work-related low back pain (LBP). They followed 894 patients over 1-year, using workers’ compensation claims data.

By controlling for demographics and severity, they determined the hazard ratio (HR) for disability recurrence between 3 types of providers:
Physical Therapists (PT),
Physicians (MD), and
Chiropractors (DC).

The results are quite interesting: (more…)

3

ICPA Launches “Chiropractic Care and Wellness” Research Project

By Frank M. Painter|March 17, 2011|Announcement, Pediatrics, Research|

ICPA Launches “Chiropractic Care and Wellness” Research Project

The Chiro.Org Blog

The ICPA is pleased to announce that its Practice Based Research Network (PBRN) has achieved recognition by and affiliation with the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, under the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The ICPA/ PBRN is the first chiropractic PBRN to have achieved this status. We would like to thank all of our participants so far for their contributions of data, making this possible.

A Practiced Based Research Network (PBRN) is our best opportunity to determine the parameters of care we provide by submitting data from our practices. The ICPA has formed the largest PBRN in chiropractic and the only one addressing family wellness care. This is your voice in evidenced based chiropractic care. We need your participation now! (more…)

0

Research Tithing

By Frank M. Painter|February 27, 2011|Announcement, Research|

Research Tithing

The Chiro.Org Blog

The Board of Chiro.Org held their annual Board meeting on 2-22-2011 and unanimously approved another $2500 donation to Chiropractic Research. This will be the tenth year in a row that the website has made a research tithe, and to date that contribution totals $21,000.

In the Age of Accountability, insurers may only pay for care that is supported by research. Our intention is to do our part, and to encourage our readers (chiropractors all) to do their part, by putting their money where it will do the most good… into high quality research, which accurately describes the miracles that we see daily in our practices.

This year’s gifts includes a $1250. contribution to the Integrated Chiropractic Outcomes Network, a new Practice-based research project created by Cheryl Hawk, DC, PhD, the Director of Clinical Research at Logan College of Chiropractic.

This year also marks our 8th year in a row supporting the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association’s research projects, always aimed at demonstrating the benefits of chiropractic care for children.

3