The Evidence Based Chiropractor Blog

Hundreds of chiropractic marketing and research articles to help you grow.

Jeff Langmaid 8/26/14 Jeff Langmaid 8/26/14

Landmark Chiropractic Research- The UK BEAM Study- by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

The UK BEAM Study, published in 2004, examined a variety of treatments for back pain in a primary care setting. They looked at active exercise (physical therapy), best care (medication and advice), and spinal manipulation. They results were astounding. In part, they concluded that, "At three and 12 months, participants randomized to the spinal manipulation package reported significant improvements in Roland disability scores and several secondary outcomes- pain, back beliefs, and general physical health.”

This piece of research should be a cornerstone of your interdisciplinary outreach!

Interested in more research? Download the Top 10 Chiropractic Research Articles HERE.

-The Evidence Based Chiropractor has assisted hundreds of chiropractors around the globe build interdisciplinary referral relationships.

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Jeff Langmaid 8/22/14 Jeff Langmaid 8/22/14

Concussion Symptoms Mimic Neck Injury Symptoms- by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

The University of Buffalo recently release a study which evaluated over a hundred patients (including some professional athletes) who had sustained sports related concussions. They found the the symptoms of concussion are closely related to, and overlap, the symptoms of neck injury.

These symptoms include headache, dizziness, vision issues, difficulty concentrating, and memory retention challenges. The researchers have hypothesized that when the symptoms of a concussion last for several months post-injury; the patients may actually be suffering from the results of a undiagnosed neck injury.

As chiropractors, research such as this is a great opportunity to build referral relationships with sports medicine physicians. By working hand in hand with sports medicine physicians, patients will be able to receive the best care possible for the totality of their sports injuries.

-The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic marketing group in the profession. We are dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research. Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals. Join us. Lets grow chiropractic together.

Jeff Langmaid 8/22/14 Jeff Langmaid 8/22/14

Over 250 Million Opioid Prescriptions in 2012- by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

An article in USA Today shed light on the fact that over a quarter BILLION opioid prescriptions were issued in 2012. This is estimated to be enough to give a prescription to every adult in the United States.

Research has proven the devastating effects of opioid dependency, and also exposed the startling addiction rates. Some states in the southeast US have nearly 150 prescriptions for every 100 residents. This is despite the fact that many national health organizations have spoke out, and recommended against, the prescriptions of opioids except in extreme circumstances.

A crack down on the "pill mills" which were operating throughout the state of Florida resulted in a decrease of over 50% in oxycodone related deaths. While as chiropractors we are not in a position (legal or ethical) to recommended or discontinue the medications of any patients; it is imperative that we address and promote alternative sources of pain relief. When an physician refers a patient to a chiropractor instead of writing a prescription; it just may save a life.

Jeff Langmaid 8/18/14 Jeff Langmaid 8/18/14

Lumbar DJD: MRI or Standing Radiographs? - by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

Becker Spine recently released a great article on research which examined the differences between convention MRI and standing radiographs for Lumbar DJD. They found- "

•   Lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis occurred in 98 percent lateral films while occurring only 78 percent of MRIs.
•   Average slip was 10 mm for lateral standing radiographs and 6.6 mm for MRI
•   There were 48 percent of the patients identified with mobile lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.
•   Positive predictive value of facet joint effusion for mobile lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis increased from 52 percent for infusion greater than 1 mm to 100 percent for patients with effusions greater than 3.5 mm.
•   The findings suggest the complete workup of patients with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis should include standing radiographs, according to the study authors.

A separate 2005 study examining MRI for adults with low back pain shows most degenerative abnormalities were associated with low back pain and the strongest associations were noted for Modic changes and anterolisthesis. Hypointense disc signal, annular tears, high intensity zones, disc protrusions, endplate changes, zygapophyseal joint degeneration, asymmetry and foraminal stenosis were relatively common."

-The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic marketing group in the profession. The service, founded and run by Dr. Jeff Langmaid, is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research. Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals. Join us. Lets grow chiropractic together.

Jeff Langmaid 8/14/14 Jeff Langmaid 8/14/14

Disc Herniations- Injections or Chiropractic Care? - by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

Research shows chiropractic care to be better than injections for disc herniation's.

Disc herniations (also known as slipped discs, disc bulges, disc extrusions, etc) are a common problem which can lead to disabling pain. Pain down the extremities (arms or legs) is called radicular pain and can stem from a disc herniation which is affecting a nerve root. Radicular pain can result in numbness, tingling, burning, or muscle cramps.

Many people who suffer from a suspected disc herniation visit their primary care physician. Usually, their primary care physician will examine the patient and refer them for a MRI. If the MRI shows a disc herniation the patient is often sent to an orthopedic specialist and injections may be recommended as a treatment option.

Last year over 9 million injections were given in the United States, which is roughly 25,000 per day.

Many patients don't know that injections are only effective about 50% of the time (per Columbia University Neurosurgery Department). Also, they have substantial risks. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that every injection increases the risk of a vertebral fracture by 21% (in the lumbar spine).

As a matter of a fact, a research article produced in 2013 compared the effectiveness of chiropractic care by spinal manipulation to nerve root injections for symptomatic disc herniation's. They concluded,

“A systematic review of the literature done the next year concluded that spinal manipulation is a very safe and cost-effective option to treat lumbar disc herniation"

and

“Both of the treatment groups had significant decreases in their NRS scores at 1 month with a 60% reduction for the Spinal Manipulative Therapy cohort and a 53% reduction for the Nerve Root Injection group.”

In this study, spinal manipulative therapy, the hallmark of chiropractic care, provided greater relief than the injections!

While many physicians are beginning to embrace the overwhelming research showing the efficacy of chiropractic care, their are still other physicians who are reluctant to provide evidence-based care. If you or someone you know is suffering from a disc herniation, it may be in your best interest to be evaluated by a chiropractic physician.