Canadian Studies on Chiropractic

A study of spinal manipulation involving 283 patients with chronic low-back and leg pain was conducted at a "specialized university back pain clinic reserved for patients who have not responded to previous conservative or operative treatment" located at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In this study, which involved research conducted by both a medical doctor and a chiropractor, all patients were initially classified as totally disabled. Daily spinal manipulations were administered and the effects of this treatment were assessed at one month and at three months. Results revealed that 81% of the patients became symptom free or achieved a state of mild intermittent pain with no work restrictions. (Kirkaldy-Willis, Cassidy 1985).

A study of 744 patients with neck and back pain who had been referred from hospitals, private practice specialists, general practitioners, and chiropractors analyzed tile effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation. The results revealed that 36% of the patients recovered (became symptom-free with no work restrictions), 34.5% became much improved (mildly symptomatic and able to function normally), 7.3% slightly improved (possible activity restrictions), 21.6% showed no change, and 0.6% became worse, The study also revealed that "post-surgical patients do very well under chiropractic care, and in fact at this center, patients are routinely referred back to us three months after surgery for maintenance care" (Potter 1977).

The Back Pain Clinic at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, reviewed literature pertinent to "Side Posture Manipulation for Lumbar Intervertebral Disk Herniation." The authors of the study concluded that "the treatment Intervertebral disk herniation by side posture manipulation is both safe and effective" (Cassidy et al. 1993).