Onderzoek in Chiropractie
Hoewel sommige mensen denken dat chiropractie geen bewezen behandelvorm is, of dat er weinig onderzoek naar is gedaan, klopt dit beeld helemaal niet. In de afgelopen jaren is het aantal wetenschappelijke studies naar chiropractische zorg sterk toegenomen, en veel van deze onderzoeken laten veelbelovende resultaten zien op het gebied van pijnvermindering, functieverbetering en algemene gezondheid van patiënten. Toch zijn niet alle mensen – en zelfs sommige andere zorgverleners – op de hoogte van deze recente ontwikkelingen. Hierdoor blijven verouderde opvattingen soms bestaan, terwijl het vakgebied juist volop in beweging is en steeds beter wordt onderzocht.
(Deze pagina in alleen beschikbaar in het Engels)
Effects of cervical manipulation on headaches
"In patients with cervicogenic headache, sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAG) mobilization can significantly improve pain and function, with benefits maintained in the long-term. Additionally, cervical spine manipulation may be the most effective short-term intervention for reducing pain and disability compared to mobilization, massage, and exercise, although clinician expertise appears to be an important factor."
Xu X, Ling Y. Comparative safety and efficacy of manual therapy interventions for cervicogenic headache: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology. 2025 May 16
Does maintained spinal manipulation therapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain result in better long-term outcome?
SMT is effective for the treatment of chronic nonspecific LBP. To obtain long-term benefit, this study suggests maintenance Spinal Manipulation after the initial intensive manipulative therapy.
Safe and effective method for reducing neck pain and improving motion
"The evidence supports the use of SMT as an effective and safe intervention for reducing pain, improving cervical range of motion, and decreasing disability in patients with acute neck pain."
Diao Y, Liu Y, Pan J, Chen J, Pan J, Liao M, Liu H, Liao L. Efficacy and safety of spinal manipulative therapy in the management of acute neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews. 2025
Can a chiropractic adjustment have an effect on the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system?
"cervical adjustments may result in parasympathetic responses, whereas thoracic adjustments result in sympathetic responses. Furthermore, it appears that these responses may demonstrate the relationship of autonomic responses in association to the particular segment(s) adjusted"
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2686395/pdf/main.pdf
Exercise & Spinal manipulation is a perfect combination
"Manual therapy as an adjunct to exercise provides increased improvements in short-term pain, function and disability outcomes than exercise alone in the management of low back pain.”
Narenthiran P, Smith IG, Williams FM. Does the addition of manual therapy to exercise therapy improve pain and disability outcomes in chronic low back pain: A systematic review. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2024 Dec 10
The Nordic maintenance care program: Is maintenance more effective that symptom-based treatment?
"Three hundred and twenty-eight subjects were randomly allocated to one of the two treatment groups. Maintenance care resulted in a reduction in the total number of days per week with bothersome LBP compared with symptom-guided treatment"
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203029
Spinal manipulation is effective in treating scoliosis
"Patients with idiopathic scoliosis showed improvements in the Cobb angle, as well as changes in lower limb kinematics and kinetics during functional activities, such as walking and stair navigation, following six weeks of spinal manipulation intervention."
Gou Y, Meng L, Chen S, Jiang Z, Lei H. Analysis of kinematic and kinetic changes in scoliosis following spinal manipulation. Scientific Reports. 2025 Jan 31;15(1):3881.
A separate study found that adding spinal manipulation was more effective than traditional care alone (the Schroth method) in reducing structural deformities and improving lumbar range of motion.
Chen H, Zhang C. The effect of Schroth Therapy combined with spinal manipulation for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. 2025 Feb;41(2):409.
Low back pain of
mechanical origin:
Chiropractic vs hospital treatment
"For patients with low back pain in whom manipulation is not contraindicated chiropractic almost certainly confers worthwhile, long term benefit in comparison with hospital outpatient management. The benefit is seen mainly in those with chronic or severe pain. Introducing chiropractic into NHS practice should be considered."
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2143092/