Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care in Cedar Rapids IA

Within the last few years, there has been a movement throughout the chiropractic profession toward evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice is defined as "the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of each individual patient". This new approach to practice integrates three things: the chiropractor's individual clinical expertise, the best research conducted within the profession, and each patient's values and expectations of care.

Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care in Cedar Rapids IA

The following are a few of the many facts regarding the effectiveness of chiropractic as determined by research to support our evidence-based practice:

• There is moderate evidence to support that chiropractic adjustments are effective for acute lower back pain in adults and strong evidence to support that chiropractic adjustments are effective for chronic lower back pain in adults.
• Strong evidence says that taking prescription non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) combined with exercises is no more effective than receiving chiropractic adjustments to help lower back pain.
• In a 2012 randomized controlled trial, chiropractic adjustments were more effective than medication for acute and sub-acute neck pain for both long and short outcomes.
• Chiropractic adjustments of the cervical (neck) region may be just as effective as propranolol and topiramate for the prophylaxis (prevention) of migraine headaches.
• Adjusting the cervical spine may prevent migraines as well as amitriptyline and may be just as effective for treating tension-type headaches.
• Patients have a lower overall costs of care when care is initiated with a chiropractor as compared with care initiated by a medical doctor. In addition, there is higher patient satisfaction with care provided by chiropractors as compared to care given by medical doctors.
• In a 2013 study of 1,885 workers, they found that only 1.5% of workers whose first provider was a chiropractor had lumbar (lower back) surgery within 3 years as compared with 42.7% of patients who first sought out care with a surgeon.

References to these facts are available upon request.

At Integrated Medicine of Iowa, we strive to incorporate evidence-based practice into every patient's care. If you have questions regarding this research or any other question relating to chiropractic, or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (319) 395-9897. We look forward to seeing you!