Research

The lack of federal funding in the early years of chiropractic inhibited sustained scientific research. However, in 1944, the National Chiropractic Association (NCA) created the Chiropractic Research Foundation (CRF) to promote and raise funds for chiropractic research (remember that antibiotics were only discovered in 1927 and did not come into usage until the 1940’s). As it became clear that nationally recognized accreditation was crucial to the recognition of chiropractic as a legitimate healthcare alternative, the NCA evolved into the American Chiropractic Association and the CRF into the Foundation for Accredited Chiropractic Research to better address these challenges.

By the 1960's, the ACA had shifted its focus from research to developing the academic infrastructure to support national accreditation, which was accomplished in 1974 when the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare recognized the Council on Chiropractic Education and the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER).

In 1975, the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare sponsored a seminal research conference on spinal manipulation, which heightened awareness of chiropractic as a centerpiece of alternative healthcare solutions and highlighted the need for chiropractic research. The Chiropractic Research Council was formed to bring together the research directors of all the chiropractic colleges and provide a framework for ongoing chiropractic research.

In 1979, the new director of research at FCER greatly expanded that organization's research activities and established a competitive scientific review process for submitted proposals. Under his direction, the Foundation held its first research conference for paper presentations, research training and knowledge sharing among the chiropractic profession. The annual International Conference on Spinal Manipulation continues to attract researchers from all over the world today.

The last three decades have seen a steady rise in quantity and quality of chiropractic research a trend that continues to pave the way to a better understanding and stronger validation of chiropractic theory and practice. Chiropractors and their patient’s have always enjoyed excellent results but scientific validation had yet to be established. Now we are seeing unanswered questions finally being met with solid evidence and proof.

Check out these research titles to get an idea of some of  what has been accomplished.