Chiropractic and CAM Utilization: A Descriptive Review

Chiropractic and CAM Utilization: A Descriptive Review
Published: 22 January 2007
Dana J Lawrence1 and William C Meeker2
1Research Department, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1000 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803 USA
2President, Palmer College of Chiropractic West, 90 E. Tasman Avenue, San Jose, CA 95134 USA
Chiropractic & Osteopathy

Abstract
Objective
To conduct a descriptive review of the scientific literature examining use rates of modalities and procedures used by CAM clinicians to manage chronic LBP and other conditions

Data Sources
A literature of PubMed and MANTIS was performed using the key terms Chiropractic; Low Back Pain; Utilization Rate; Use Rate; Complementary and Alternative Medicine; and Health Services in various combinations.

Data Selection
A total of 137 papers were selected, based upon including information about chiropractic utilization, CAM utilization and low back pain and other conditions.

Data Synthesis
Information was extracted from each paper addressing use of chiropractic and CAM, and is summarized in tabular form.

Results
Thematic analysis of the paper topics indicated that there were 5 functional areas covered by the literature: back pain papers, general chiropractic papers, insurance-related papers, general CAM-related papers; and worker's compensation papers.

Conclusion
Studies looking at chiropractic utilization demonstrate that the rates vary, but generally fall into a range from around 6% to 12% of the population, most of whom seek chiropractic care for low back pain and not for organic disease or visceral dysfunction. CAM is itself used by people suffering from a variety of conditions, though it is often used not as a primary intervention, but rather as an additional form of care. CAM and chiropractic often offer lower costs for comparable results compared to conventional medicine.

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