The case for Chiropractic: 7 Evidence-based benefits of Chiropractic care

Written By Claire Heeley

Grounded in science and supported by numerous studies, chiropractic treatment focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those involving the spine. Today, chiropractic care is widely recognized as an effective, evidence-based method for managing pain, improving mobility, and enhancing overall well-being. In the following sections, we will explore the key evidence-based benefits of chiropractic care and the research supporting its effectiveness.

1. Pain Relief for Musculoskeletal Conditions

Spinal manipulation has been proven effective for various types of pain. Chiropractic care can relieve low back pain, neck pain, and headaches, along with general aches, pains, and joint discomfort.

  • The Bronfort report provides a thorough summary of evidence for manual treatments. It shows that spinal manipulation is effective for various conditions, including acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain, headaches, neck pain, and migraines. Additionally, it is beneficial for cervicogenic dizziness (dizziness caused by musculoskeletal disorders of the neck) as well as several joint disorders in the extremities (Bronfort et al. 2010).

  • Clinical guidelines from the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians recommend spinal manipulation as an effective treatment option for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain. Additionally, therapies such as massage and acupuncture, which are often provided by chiropractors, are also recommended for treating acute or subacute low back pain (Qaseem et al., 2017).

  • Most clinical guidelines endorse spinal manipulative treatment (SMT) for managing lower back pain. This treatment can be part of a multi-modal approach that includes exercise or can be used as a stand-alone intervention (Gevers-Montoro et al. 2021). For patients experiencing lower back pain accompanied by leg pain, such as sciatica, guidelines suggest that SMT should be included in a comprehensive treatment plan that also features self-management advice, reassurance, and targeted exercise (NICE CKS).

2. Improved Mobility and Function

Restoring joint mobility and improving function are central goals of chiropractic care. Spinal manipulations and other manual therapies help to reduce stiffness, restore range of motion, and promote overall functional recovery.

  • A 2006 study found that patients with neck pain who received spinal manipulation showed immediate improvements in their neck range of motion and a significant reduction in pain (Martínez-Segura et al. 2006).

  • Research published in The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine highlights the benefits of chiropractic adjustments in improving mobility and function in individuals with low back pain. (Rubinstein et al. 2019).

  • A large clinical trial involving 750 active-duty military members found that chiropractic care, when combined with standard medical treatment, resulted in greater pain relief and a more significant reduction in disability for patients experiencing low back pain (Goertz et al., 2018).

3. Reduction in Opioid Use and Prescription Pain Medication

One of the most compelling benefits of chiropractic care is its potential to serve as an alternative to pain medications, including opioids. With the ongoing opioid crisis, non-pharmacological approaches like chiropractic care can reduce prescription painkillers that can lead to dependence and associated comorbidities.

  • A 2020 study in Pain Medicine found that patients with spinal pain who received chiropractic care were 64% less likely to use opioids compared to those who did not. This underscores the role of chiropractic care in reducing reliance on potentially addictive medications (Corcoran et al. 2020).

  • Medication overuse headache: A recent study conducted in 2024 found that adults receiving chiropractic care had a significantly lower likelihood of being prescribed butalbital, which consequently reduced their risk of developing medication overuse headaches (Trager et al. 2024).

4. Support for Chronic Pain Conditions

For chronic conditions such as Osteoarthritis (OA), chiropractic remains a minimally invasive, non-pharmacological treatment option that can significantly improve the lives of individuals suffering from chronic pain.

  • A systematic review published in the British Medical Journal in 2019 concluded that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) was effective for improving chronic low back pain outcomes. This included reductions in pain intensity and enhancements in physical function (Rubinstein et al. 2019).

  • The American College of Physicians (2017) recommends non-pharmacologic treatment for chronic low back pain, including exercise, rehabilitation, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation (Qaseem et al. 2017).

5. Reduction in Surgery

Research indicates that patients who seek chiropractic care initially are significantly less likely to require surgery for their condition compared to those who see other healthcare providers first.

  • In a study involving 1,885 workers, it was found that 42.7% of patients who consulted a surgeon first ended up having surgery. In contrast, only 1.5% of those who first visited a chiropractor underwent surgical procedures (Keeney et al. 2013).

6. Cost Effectiveness

Chiropractic care is backed by evidence and follows guideline-based interventions. Furthermore, when chiropractors serve as the initial point of entry into care, healthcare utilization and costs are minimized.

  • Data from 29,806 patients showed that total health care use and costs were lowest among those who initially sought treatment from chiropractors for lower back pain (Bise et al., 2023).

  • Data from health insurance providers concluded that care given by a doctor of Chiropractic (DC) alone or in conjunction with care by a medical doctor (MD) had lower costs of care than MD care with or without a physiotherapist (Hurwitz et al. 2016).

  • Older patients with chronic low back pain receiving chiropractic care had the lowest costs and shorter episodes of low back pain, next to patients who sought medical care in conjunction with chiropractic. The highest costs were icurred by patients who received medical care only (Weeks et al. 2016).

  • Based on data from 85,000 beneficiaries over 2 years, patients who initiated care with a DC saved 20-40% on health care costs compared to patients who initially sought an MD (Liliedahl et al. 2010).

5. Patient satisfaction

Chiropractic care not only provides pain relief and improved mobility but can also positively influence overall well-being. Many patients report enhancements in their sleep, energy levels, and ability to perform daily activities following chiropractic treatment. While these benefits might be subjective, they highlight the holistic nature of chiropractic care.

  • Patients with chronic low back pain and neck pain generally express overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding chiropractic treatment. Furthermore, many patients indicated they consistently receive answers to their questions on the same day and are seen within 15 minutes of their scheduled appointment time (Hays et al., 2020).

  • Those experiencing chronic pain report high levels of care, acceptance, personal attention, open communication, and trust in their chiropractors (Newell & Holmes, 2024).

  • In qualitative studies, patients felt that their chiropractors listened to them and valued their opportunity to express concerns. They rated their chiropractors highly for professionalism, particularly in how diagnoses and treatment plans were communicated, as well as in involving patients in managing their conditions. Patients also appreciated the personalized advice from chiropractors, which often included referrals to other healthcare professionals (Wells et al., 2020).

6. Safety

The evidence suggests that chiropractic care is safe for most people, with side effects that are typically mild and transitory. Serious complications are extremely rare, especially when treatments are delivered by qualified professionals. However, as with any medical intervention, it is essential for patients to discuss their health conditions and risk factors with their chiropractor or primary care physician before starting treatment.

  • A 2017 systematic review in Spine concluded that adverse events associated with spinal manipulation were typically mild and transient, such as soreness or stiffness that resolves within a few days (Paige et al. 2017).

  • Cervical Artery Dissection (CAD) and Stroke: Some case reports suggest a potential link between cervical spine manipulation and stroke due to arterial injury. However, large-scale studies, including a 2016 study in JAMA Neurology, indicate that the overall risk is extremely low and not significantly higher than the risk associated with visiting a primary care physician for neck pain (Cassidy et al. 2016).

  • A recent systematic review found that although adverse event reporting was low, no serious adverse events were reported across 154 studies involving 7,518 participants who received spinal manipulation (Gorell et al. 2024).

In conclusion, The research shows that chiropractic care not only alleviates pain but also helps normalize movement and function, enabling patients to recover faster and resume their normal activities in as little time as possible. Patients who choose a chiropractor as their first portal of entry into care can expect to have shorter pain episodes, a lower risk of undergoing surgery, and reduced reliance on prescription painkillers, ultimately leading to lower overall healthcare costs. Chiropractic care is generally considered safe and effective, and patients express high levels of satisfaction with the level of care they receive, which reflects the exceptionally high quality of care provided by chiropractors.

References

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Amir Qaseem, Timothy J. Wilt, Robert M. McLean, et al; for the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians . Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med.2017;166:514-530. [Epub 14 February 2017]. doi:10.7326/M16-2367

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Claire Heeley
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