The above were the findings of a research project
conducted in Australia where 420 patients were studied. On October 5th 2002
at the 9th International Conference on Spinal Manipulation in Toronto, Ray
Hayek, Ph.D., head of the investigative team told the assembly that patients
afflicted with asthma may benefit from spinal manipulation in terms of
symptoms, immunological capacity, and endocrine effects.
The proceedings and report of this study were published
in the August 24, 2002 release from the Foundation for Chiropractic
Education and Research, (FCER). In that release Dr. Hayek reported that of
the 420 patients in the study only those patients in the group which
received spinal manipulation showed significant improvement in asthma
symptoms, depression and anxiety.
The report also noted that there were positive
biochemical and physiological changes that were not necessarily expected
from spinal manipulation. The report suggested, "These biochemical changes
not only suggest that the effects of spinal manipulation are more
far-reaching than commonly believed, but that they may be more long-term as
well."
Although the study was not specific to chiropractic care,
chiropractic adjustments are the most specific form of spinal manipulation.
The findings of the above study reinforce other studies previously performed
that show the benefit of chiropractic care for those suffering with asthma.
In a study conducted in 1996 by the Michigan Chiropractic Association (MCA),
a panel of doctors performed an outcomes assessment study to test the
qualitative and quantitative effectiveness of chiropractic care on children
with asthma. The results of this study showed that after 30 days of
chiropractic health care, patients averaged only one asthma attack, whereas
prior to this study they were experiencing more than four attacks.
Additionally, in the Michigan study it was noted that medications, which can
be costly, were decreased by nearly 70 percent in the patients who
participated.