There is a lot of Clinical Studies published in various scientific journals about Chiropractic. These are just a few that I have found interesting.

Low Back Pain

Long Term Back Pain Makes You Less Intelligent

In the The Journal of Neuroscience, November 17, 2004 a study of people with long term back pain found that their brain volume reduced by 5-11% – the same as 10-20 years of ageing.

Multiple Sclerosis and Chiropractic

There was an interesting study in 2005 that treated 40 Multiple Sclerosis patients and 40 Parkinson’s patients with Chiropractic treatments to the upper neck. After treating 91% of MS patients and 92% of PD patients improved. You can find an explanation at News-Medical.net. The research done by Dr. Erin Elster was originally published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (JVSR) in 2004.

In a study by some of my old Professors at the McTimoney Collage of Chiropractic they found that “Of those that had used chiropractic, 68% used it to manage their MS symptoms and most would recommend it to others with MS”.

Vertigo and Chiropractic

October 2011 -A Review of all of the Scientific Studies regarding Manipulation/Mobilisation (Chiropractic) in treating Cervicogenic Vertigo.

A review of 42 different studies into Cervicogenic Vertigo found positive results. http://www.chiro.org/wordpress/?p=7949

Sixty Patients With Chronic Vertigo Undergoing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care to Correct Vertebral Subluxation: A Retrospective Analysis

Two diagnostic tests, paraspinal digital infrared imaging and laser-aligned radiography, were performed according to IUCCA protocol. These tests objectively identify trauma-induced upper cervical subluxations (misalignments of the upper cervical spine from the neural canal) and resulting neuropathophysiology. Upper cervical subluxations were found in all 60 cases. All 60 patients responded to IUCCA upper cervical care within one to six months of treatment. Forty-eight patients were symptom-free following treatment and twelve cases were improved in that the severity and/or frequency of vertigo episodes were reduced.

Therapy of Functional Disorders of the Craniovertebral Joints in Vestibular Diseases

Cervicogenic vertigo is caused by functional disorders of the craniovertebral joints. The therapeutic effect of chiropractic treatment in 28 patients with vertigo and purely functional disorders of the upper cervical spine or with a combination of functional disorders of the upper cervical spine and the labyrinth was evaluated. In our opinion chiropractic treatment is mandatory for the therapy of patients with vestibular affections and functional disorders of the craniovertebral joints.

Upper Cervical Protocol to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation in Ten Subjects with Menieres: A Case Series

The objective of this case series was to review the management outcome of upper-cervical protocol on ten patients diagnosed with Menieres disease. Prior to the onset of symptoms all ten cases suffered neck traumas, most from automobile accidents, resulting in undiagnosed whiplash injuries.

Chiropractic care for the reduction of subluxation was undertaken. Custom x-rays and analysis of the upper cervical vertebrae were used to determine chiropractic listings of subluxation. Thermographs of the cervical spine were utilized using a DTG-25 instrument. A Toggle adjustment was used to reduce the subluxation. The condition of Menieres, which is poorly understood, responded favorably to chiropractic care using an upper cervical approach to reduce a specific subluxation complex.

Conclusion: It is possible that the true cause of Menieres disease is not only endolymphatic hydrops as theorized, but that vertebral subluxation plays a role. Further study is recommended.

Clinical Study on Manipulative Treatment of Derangement of the Atlantoaxial Joint

The derangement of the atlantoaxial joint is one of main cervical sources of dizziness and headache, which were based on the observation on the anatomy of the upper cervical vertebrae, analysis of X-ray film of the atlantoaxial joint, and the manipulative treatment in 35 patients with cervical spondylosis. The clinical diagnosis of derangement consists of: dizziness, headache, prominence and tenderness on one side of the affected vertebra, deviation of the dens for 1 mm-4 mm on the open-mouth X-ray film, abnormal movement of the atlantoaxial joint on head-rotated open-mouth X-ray film. An accurate and delicate adjustment is the most effective treatment.

Chiropractic Care of a Patient with Temporomandibular Disorder and Atlas Subluxation

A 41-year-old woman had bilateral ear pain, tinnitus, vertigo, altered or decreased hearing acuity, and headaches. She had a history of ear infections, which had been treated with prescription antibiotics. Her complaints were attributed to a diagnosis of temporomandibular joint syndrome and had been treated unsuccessfully by a medical doctor and dentist. High-velocity, low-amplitude adjustments were applied to findings of atlas subluxation. The patient’s symptoms improved and eventually resolved after 9 visits.

Vertigo, Tinnitus, and Hearing Loss in the Geriatric Patient

A 75-year-old woman with a longstanding history of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss experienced an intensified progression of these symptoms 5 weeks before seeking chiropractic care. The patient received upper cervical-specific chiropractic care. Through the course of care, the patient’s symptoms were alleviated, structural and functional improvements were evident through radiographic examination, and audiologic function improved. The clinical progress documented in this report suggests that upper cervical manipulation may benefit patients who have tinnitus and hearing loss.

 Sciatica

In an Italian study of 102 patients with disc pain that was published in Spine [Santilli et al: Spine J. 2006 Mar-Apr;6(2):131-7. Epub 2006 Feb 3] “Patients receiving active manipulations enjoyed significantly greater relief of local and radiating acute LBP, spent
fewer days with moderate-to-severe pain, and consumed
fewer drugs for the control of pain”. The study compared patients from Celio Hospital and Istituto Chirurgico Ortopedico Traumatologico in Rome who either had Chiropractors adjusting them or chiropractors performing a pretend adjustment.