The “Orthopedic Supersite” titled the article this way: Study finds patients who initially visited a chiropractor had reduced odds of chronic disability. So I’d like to think I’m not being too biased when I post this blog but rather relating the sentiment of several others that have reviewed this material.
For 100 years the public has been told that doctors of chiropractic are not real doctors, “quacks”, “posers” or the like. Yet study after study shows the effectiveness of chiropractic care. Studies published in Spine (The Orthopedic Surgeon’s research journal) in 2003, 2006 and now research presented at Spine Week 2008. May 26-31, 2008 in Geneva , Switzerland
In Florida
The finding concerning chiropractors surprised the researchers who expected to see the best outcomes in the 7% of patients who initially saw an occupational medicine physician. “In fact” Dr. Turner says, “if anything, they had somewhat worse outcomes,” with the occupational medical physicians.
At the University of Washington
When investigators analyzed which health care providers patients saw first after their injury vs. disability at 1 year, “Clearly, patients whose first visit for the injury was to a chiropractor had reduced odds of chronic disability,” Turner said. “That at least raises the possibility that chiropractic care was more effective in improving pain and disability or promoting RTW.” (RTW = Return To Work)
“Give them a strong message that early activity is good, that bed rest and avoiding activity are not helpful,” and encourage them to return to work as soon as possible, Turner said.
The investigators developed a disability risk screening questionnaire based on their findings and expect to start a pilot program in Washington
I applaud the unbiased reporting of the outcomes of this paper. This could have far and wide reaching implications for the chiropractic profession. Hopefully getting our foot back in the door with workers’ compensation. Hopefully this kind of research will stop Blue Cross & Blue Shield’s efforts to downgrade the chiropractic profession to second class citizens. But the record clearly shows that when it comes to back injuries, the injured workers should see a chiropractic physician first. Doctors of chiropractic are well trained in orthopedic and chiropractic physical examination as well as differential diagnosis. If the condition is something appropriate or inappropriate for the chiropractor’s scope of care, the chiropractic physician should make that call. Because we all know, for the past 100 years, it’s been the other way around and according to the research, it’s been the wrong approach.
They say you can bring a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I think it's time we just take a bucket of water and dump it over the horse's head. When are people going to make decisions because it's the right thing to do, rather than what is politically correct. As physicians of any discipline, we are supposed to do what's right by the patient.
‘nuff said
Dr. T
References
(1) Turner JA, Franklin G, Fulton-Kehoe D, et al. Early predictors of chronic work disability: A prospective, population-based study of workers with back injuries. Presented at Spine Week 2008. May 26-31, 2008. Geneva
(2) Santilli V, Beghi E, Finucci S. Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. The Spine Journal 2006; in press, published online Feb. 3, 2006.
(3) Lynton G. F. Giles, DC, PhD ; Reinhold Muller, PhD; Chronic Spinal Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Medication, Acupuncture, and Spinal Manipulation ; Spine 2003; 28(14):1490-1502
Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He testifies as an expert witness and does strategic personal injury and workers' compensation consults with law firms. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine, chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage, rehabilitation & nutrition
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