SCU researcher featured on Chiropractic Science podcast

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Senior Health Services Researcher James Whedon, MS, DC, was recently featured on the Chiropractic Science podcast, where he joined colleague Brian Anderson, DC, MPH, PhD (University of Pittsburgh), for an in-depth conversation about their multi-year Medicare research project examining the outcomes, costs and safety of chiropractic care for older adults with neck pain.

Hosted by Dean Smith, DC, PhD, the episode, “Neck Pain, Medicare, Costs, Adverse Events,” explores the results of three peer-reviewed studies supported by a National Institutes of Health R15 Research Enhancement Award. The research team analyzed patterns of care among nearly 300,000 Medicare beneficiaries with new episodes of neck pain, offering one of the most comprehensive looks to date at how initial provider choice influences patient outcomes in this population.

About Whedon and Anderson’s research

During the interview, Whedon and Anderson describe how their research group examined Medicare claims data to compare three initial treatment pathways for new episodes of non-traumatic, non-pathological neck pain: chiropractic care (spinal manipulation), primary care without prescription analgesics and primary care with prescription analgesics. Over a 24-month follow-up period, the researchers assessed rates of care escalation (specialist visits, imaging, injections, surgery, hospitalizations, ER visits), total and neck pain–related health care costs, and safety outcomes and adverse events.

Key finding #1: Chiropractic care is associated with reduced care escalation

Patients who started their care with spinal manipulation experienced: a 64% lower rate of total care escalation, a 93% lower rate of surgical procedures and a 78% lower rate of hospitalizations.

Key finding #2: Chiropractic care is associated with costs savings

The research identified significant financial benefits with chiropractic as an initial strategy. The approach resulted in $435 less per patient in total hospital spending over two years, and lower outpatient and medication costs.

This could mean $43 million in estimated Medicare savings per 100,000 neck-pain episodes.

Key finding #3: Chiropractic care is associated with positive outcomes

Chiropractic patients demonstrated a 20% lower rate of any measured adverse event compared to patients who received prescription analgesics, and a 14% lower rate compared to patients who went into primary care without analgesics.

Why these findings matter for Medicare policy

These results support national discussions surrounding the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, which proposes expanding Medicare coverage to include the full range of services DCs are trained to provide.

Listen to the complete Chiropractic Science podcast episode here:

• Website: chiropracticscience.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=IPsCKfhMcq0

About Southern California University of Health Sciences

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is one of the world’s only integrative, whole-health universities—teaching students to blend the best of conventional medicine with proven complementary approaches and to treat the whole person (body, mind and spirit). Founded in 1911, SCU has been challenging convention and pushing healthcare forward for more than 100 years. Today, the institution offers graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including Chiropractic, Sports Medicine, Physical & Occupational Therapy, Genetic Counseling, Genetics & Genomics, Medical Science, Physician Assistant, Ayurveda, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, Whole Health Leadership and beyond. Learn more at scuhs.edu.