Top 5 must-read modern chiropractic research articles

These chiropractic research articles are windows to help DCs providing more comprehensive guidance with the latest information

Chiropractic research articles help doctors of chiropractic further their understanding of a particular health care topic while providing more comprehensive guidance when creating a treatment plan. It also either reinforces or reverses old views, thoughts, or beliefs based on the latest information and advancements.

Staying up to date on these chiropractic research articles is critical to being the best health care provider you can be, enabling you to offer top-quality patient care. With that in mind, here are five chiropractic research articles released in 2020 that shine a brighter light on what is happening within the chiropractic field, both in theory and practice.

Grit plays a role in chiropractic academic performance and success

The first step to becoming a doctor of chiropractic is completing chiropractic school. It involves learning about anatomy, physiology, genetics, and more. Creating successful study habits help students better retain the information needed to practice effective chiropractic.

However, an August 2020 cross-sectional study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Education reveals that developing some grit plays a role as well.

Specifically, chiropractic students with higher grit scores tended to have higher grade point averages. They also required fewer exam retakes. This suggests that, if you want to do well in chiropractic, it helps to find (or develop) your grit and determination.

Chiropractic research articles: DCs provide 64% reduction in opioid use

Opioid abuse and overdose have been a major concern in recent years. Because chiropractic offers natural pain relief, this treatment modality is a preferred option for patients struggling with a chronic pain condition without relying on these potentially deadly substances.

One recent study looked at six different published articles, each involving pain and chiropractic, and it revealed just how impactful chiropractic can be for this purpose. After reviewing all of the data, its authors noted that “chiropractic users had 64% lower odds of receiving an opioid prescription than nonusers.” The complete results were published in the February 2020 volume of Pain Medicine.

DC hand hygiene and drug-resistant bacteria

Thanks in large part to the coronavirus, 2020 has been the year in which we are all repeatedly urged to wash our hands. According to a cross-sectional study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in August 2020, this advice is more critical for DCs.

This study reports that 26.9% of the chiropractors studied had some type of multidrug-resistant bacteria on their hands. This reinforces the need to create a consistent hand washing practice —especially when transitioning from one patient to the next — to help keep them safe from the latest bug.

Telehealth chiropractic sessions are possible, but benefit from a well-defined workflow

Typically, chiropractic care isn’t a form of treatment that is offered online. However, again, with the emergence of COVID-19, many patients were foregoing treatment in an attempt to limit their contact with other people.

Some DCs decided to work around this by providing patients virtual visits. As a result, they came up with a workflow for a chiropractic telemedicine appointment and published this proposed workflow in the June 2020 edition of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

This proposed pathway includes verifying the patient’s identity, performing a clinical history, conducting a virtual exam, and offering guidance on therapeutic exercises the patient can do at home. They also recommend speaking with your liability insurance carrier to ensure that telehealth visits are covered under your policy and checking your system’s security for maximum patient privacy and confidentiality.

A better understanding of veteran chiropractic patients

The more you know about a patient, the greater your ability to create an effective treatment plan. In a healthcare setting, this knowledge often revolves around their medical history and current physical health. Chiropractic is different because it involves whole-body health, which requires a more complete look at the patient’s demographics and lifestyle.

According to a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in June 2020, in regards to veteran patients, a diagnosis of PTSD is higher among those who are male, younger in age, have moderate-to-severe pain, currently smoke, and have some type of substance use disorder. Understanding this correlation helps DCs provide a more effective pain treatment plan by addressing the many issues that could limit or impede effective care.