Healthcare constantly evolves. We know this. We see it every day. Yet chiropractic is continually overlooked when it comes to research funding. 

The need to elevate chiropractic research to the level that mainstream, traditional medicine enjoys is urgent. If research funding were more equitably distributed, we could see skyrocketing chiropractic advances and a firestorm of patient-centered, whole-being healthcare improvements. 

Yet, despite exciting chiropractic advancements, the misconception became entrenched that there is nothing further to be learned about chiropractic and, therefore no additional funding for research is needed. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. 

Last November an event hosted by The Galien Foundation celebrated groundbreaking innovations, mainly in pharmaceuticals and medical technologies. 

If chiropractic receives more research funding and, therefore, generates more healthcare advancements, its contributions will be as significant and life-changing as we’ve seen in traditional medicine. 

Roots of the Funding Disparity: Chiropractic Versus Mainstream Medicine

At the heart of this funding disparity lie fundamental differences in approach, especially as they pertain to chronic pain, which the World Health Organization identified as the number one disability worldwide. 

Mainstream medicine often views chronic pain as a diagnosis, not a symptom. Typically, when patients complain of chronic pain, a diagnosis of chronic pain is issued by the healthcare provider, along with a treatment plan heavily reliant on painkillers, muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory drugs. 

By contrast, doctors of chiropractic (DC) view chronic pain as a symptom, not a diagnosis. From there, the DC investigates the pain’s cause – spinal misalignment, nerve irritation, biomechanical imbalances, etc. – and works to relieve the pain and determine whether and how recurrence can be prevented. 

Instead of masking pain, chiropractic treatment aims to restore proper function, improve mobility      and support the body’s healing ability. 

Medications used by mainstream healthcare providers can come with side effects and long-term dependency risks, and because chiropractic is non-invasive and pharmaceutical-free, it’s imperative to amplify chiropractors’ voices in discussions of patient care – and that starts with increased research funding. 

Another difference in approach is chiropractic’s hallmark characteristic of personalized attention. One person’s back pain could stem from hours spent at a workstation with poorly designed ergonomics. Another’s might result from rushing their yoga routine or skipping the warmup. 

So, for people living with chronic pain, chiropractic’s hands-on, whole-being approach, with patients as lead members of the healthcare team, may eliminate future flare-ups and the development of chronic illness. 

The Case for Longitudinal Studies  

Longitudinal (long-term) studies are scarce in chiropractic research. One of the few that comes close is a one-year study, considered “short-term longitudinal” because 12 months “captures mid-range outcomes but not long-term durability.” 

The study observed chronic low back pain patients referred for chiropractic treatment by spine surgeons. It concluded that chiropractic can be important in treating chronic back pain.

A 2021 longitudinal study published in Pain Physician observed that patients receiving ongoing chiropractic care for chronic low-back and neck pain experienced gradual improvements over three months. These findings strongly suggest that chiropractic interventions play a significant role in managing chronic musculoskeletal conditions. 

Research also indicates that chiropractic could help treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which can cause a type of stroke called ‘silent brain infarctions.’ Chiropractic may contribute to better sleep and neurological health by improving spinal alignment and nervous system function. 

But again, this non-invasive and promising treatment of conditions like OSA remains underrepresented in major health initiatives. 

Albert Einstein urged us to not stop questioning. Questions can lead to discovery and progress. These groundbreaking studies into chiropractic care raise questions of their own about the current state of chiropractic research:

• Why haven’t there been more of these long-term studies?
• What are people “doing right” in current chiropractic practices that lead to such positive outcomes?
• Why should these successful approaches be promoted through further research and advocacy?

Funding and research are needed to realize chiropractic’s potential and findings should be freely shared with the public. Until that happens, we won’t know the full extent of its capabilities. 

By investigating and addressing root causes, prioritizing long-term patient-centered outcomes, and integrating chiropractic studies into major health study agendas, chiropractic research can pave the way for a more holistic and empowering future for us all.