National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – 2019 Spinal Manipulation: What You Need to Know

Chiropractic care is safe when performed by a licensed practitioner and is utilized for many health conditions. Surveys suggest that the most popular reason to see a chiropractor is wellness, but benefits have been noted for back pain, neck pain, headache, and more.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics –2007 Clinical utilization and cost outcomes from an Integrative Medicine Independent Physician Association: An additional 3-year update

Patients that underwent chiropractic care over the examined three-year period were found to incur less health care costs. The study found that chiropractic care correlated with a 60% reduction in in-hospital admissions, 62% decrease in outpatient surgeries and procedures, and a 85% decrease in pharmaceutical costs.

Spine – 2013 Adding chiropractic manipulative therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain: results of a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness study

This clinical trial compared standard medical care and chiropractic care as treatment options for active-duty military personnel experiencing back pain. Both approached offered relief, but the best or most significant decrease in pain and improved physical functioning was noted when care was offered together. Chiropractic care is best in a team approach.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – 2018 Association Between Utilization of Chiropractic Services for Treatment of Low-Back Pain and Use of Prescription Opioids

Healthcare is currently trying to combat the addictive nature of narcotics such as opioids. Research shows that chiropractors are helping by offering a drug-free alternative. Review of the New Hampshire health data indicates that patients that received chiropractic care were 55% less likely to fill an opioid prescription.

Chiropractic Economics 2015 – Measured Success, Evaluating the Effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy

Davenport University performed a study of 815 patients receiving spinal decompression therapy at Burkhart & Chapp Chiropractic, PLC. A random selection of 163 patients was evaluated for 70% to 100% improvement in symptoms. There was a 91% success rate achieved utilizing the non-surgical decompression approach.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010 – Restoration of disk height through non-surgical decompression is associated with decreased discogenic low back pain: a retrospective cohort study.

This recent study examined the records of 30 patients with low back pain who underwent a 6-week protocol of non-surgical spinal decompression, and who had CT scans before and after treatment. The study concluded that non-surgical spinal decompression was associated with a reduction of pain and an increase in disc height. A randomized, controlled trial is needed to confirm these promising results.

Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy 2005 – Short and long-term outcomes following treatment with the VAX-D for patients with chronic, activity-limiting low back pain.

This study examined 67 patients with low back pain that had radiologic evidence of a herniated disc. These patients underwent an 8-week course of VAX-D (Vertebral axial decompression) treatment, with measures obtained at discharge, 30, and 180 days after discharge. Significant improvements were seen in pain rating and activity limitation at every measurement period.

SPINE 2006 – Disc Distraction Shows Evidence of Regenerative Potential in Degenerated Intervertebral Discs.

This study with respect to previous reports, confirms that disc distraction enhances hydration in the degenerated disc and may improve disc nutrition via the vertebral endplates. Therefore, disc repair fundamentally depends on the stage of disc degeneration.

Journal of Neurologic Research 2004 – Efficacy of vertebral axial decompression on chronic low back pain: a study of dosage regimen.

The purpose of this study was to see if patients responded to two different protocols of VAX-D (Vertebral axial decompression) who failed standard medical physical therapy. Those patients who did 18 sessions achieved a higher percentage of remission (76%) than those who did only 9 (43%).

Anaesthesiology News 2003– VAX-D reduces chronic discogenic low back pain.

Of the 23 patients who responded, 52% had a pain level of zero, and 91% were able to resume their normal activities, and 87% were either working or retired.” None of the patients underwent surgery after receiving VAX-D treatment. In contrast, in a study of 575 patients who underwent surgery, 17 years after their surgery 70% of patients still had back pain.

American Journal of Pain Management 1997 – Decompression, Reduction, and Stabilization of the Lumbar Spine: A Cost-Effective Treatment

Eighty-six percent of herniated intervertebral disc patients achieved ‘good’ (50-89% improvement) to ‘excellent’ (90-100% improvement) results with decompression. Sciatica and back pain was relieved. Facet arthrosis patients, 75% obtained ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ results with decompression.

Practical Pain Management 2008 – Class IV Therapy Lasers Maximize Primary Biostimulative Effects

The study examined the biological effects of laser therapy. When photons emitted by the laser reach the mitochondria and cell membranes, an increase is noted in cell metabolism and the signaling pathways required for wound repair. Cell migration, protein secretion, and cell proliferation increase. The effective depth of penetration is roughly 4 centimeters which are substantial for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions

K-LASER USA 2015 – Internal Dosimetry: Combining Simulation with Phantom and Ex Vivo Measurement

Studies conducted with the K-laser device confirm that the energy emitted by the device is consistent with the expected outcomes. The dosages are consistent with the current understanding of photon emission, laser absorption, and the biological effects of biophotomodulation. This means that the protocols with the K-laser are precise and the outcomes are predictable for our patients.

Journal of Athletic Training 2012 – Limb Blood Flow after Class 4 Laser Therapy

Increased blood flow is an essential part of the natural healing process. This study demonstrates that laser therapy has been shown to improve blood flow to a treated region when dosed correctly. This study found that a 3-Watt laser treatment effectively increased the blood flow to the lower limb in healthy patients. Increased blood flow is one of the major proposed mechanism by which a class IV laser is superior to alternative therapies.

Wellman Center for Photomedicine – Mechanisms of Low-Level Light Therapy

Laser light was first used on mice to determine if laser radiation could cause cancer in mice. Instead of causing cancer, improved healing and reduced healing time were observed in the mice. Since this revolutionary observation, it has been determined that laser light causes a release of many different cellular chemicals that induce healing through a process called photobiomodulation. This article offers a summary of where laser therapy started and how it is evolving with time.

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2012 – Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders

The focused sound waves seen with ACT treatment is “uni-phasic with the peak pressure as high as 500 bars. In essence, the peak pressure of shockwave is approximately 1,000 times that of ultrasound wave”. The therapy causes microscopic changes to the tissue that results in tissue regeneration. This study highlights good results for patients with plantar fasciitis, epicondylitis, and other tendinopathies.

Sports Medicine Arthroscopy Rehabilitation Therapy and Technology 2010 – Mechanics Rule Cell Biology

This study confirms that mechanical or physical forces cause physiologic change to the tissue of the body. These changes are a key part of the healing process causing: alterations to cell proliferation, gene expression, and protein production. As a compression therapy, ACT utilizes these same to cellular processes to cause healing in the body.

Cellular Tissue Research 2011 – Extracorporeal Shockwave Induced Expression of Lubricin in Tendons and Septa

ACT has been shown to increase the production of a protein called Lubricin which has anti-adhesion properties. This is one of the proposed mechanisms for reduced pain and increased range of motion which occurs with ACT treatment. The best effects were seen in the tendons near the boney insertion due to the principles of acoustic impedance.

Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association 2011 – Treatment of Post-Traumatic Myositis Ossificans of the anterior thigh with Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

This case study illustrates the successful conservative management of post-traumatic myositis ossificans of the anterior thigh with acoustic compression therapy and a primarily unsupervised graded exercise program within a condensed treatment time frame of 2 weeks.