It's widely known that some things improve over time, such
as a fine wine or a strong marriage. A recent study on chiropractic
patient populations shows that chiropractic treatment may
be another example. There have been radical changes in chiropractic
legislation
and integration with other forms of health care in the last
half-century, and chiropractors increasingly practice at hospital
clinics and in government positions. This study in the Journal
of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics evaluated
the characteristics of a typical chiropractic patient over
this same time period.
p>Researchers compared 1962 and 1999 surveys of the Danish
chiropractic population. The majority of chiropractors (approximately
50) in Denmark in 1962 had been evaluated; data from over
1,100 patients were available on the location and duration
of pain, number of treatments and treatment outcome. In 1999,
similar data were gathered for almost 2,000 patients.
In 1962, nearly 50% of chiropractic patients had suffered
from their condition for over one year. However, only 20%
of patients suffered for over one year in 1999. Also in 1962,
11% of patients complained of headache, compared to just 4%
in 1999. The authors found the results of the surveys to otherwise
be "remarkably similar." Approximately 70% of patients had
lower-back or neck disorders in both surveys, and less than
10% of patients complained of other disorders (asthma, neurologic
disorders, allergies, etc.) in each survey.
Most chiropractors today principally treat pain syndromes
related to the spine, as they always have. This study also
shows that patients visiting chiropractors now are less likely
to still be suffering after one year than patients in the
past. The fact that chiropractors have stayed focused on the
treatment methods unique to this form of health care may help
explain this improvement over time.
Reference
Hartvigsen J, Bolding-Jensen O, et al. Danish chiropractic
patients then and now - A comparison between 1962 and 1999.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
2003:26(2), pp. 65-69.
For more information on the benefits of chiropractic care,
go to www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout.
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