A report of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) on the Chiropractic Health Care Demonstration Project was finalized by DOD consultants Birch and Davis and was submitted to the U.S. Congress. The report authors, were cautious at best with their recommendations but the results of the study speak for themselves. The following are some of the statistics of patient responses to chiropractic care verses medical care.
- How satisfied are you with improvement in your condition: Excellent – Chiropractic care, 81.5% v. 55.6% for medical care.
- How satisfied are you with the practitioner’s willingness to spend time with you: Excellent: Chiropractic care, 93.7% v. 77.5% for medical care.
- How satisfied are you with the explanation of your treatment: Excellent: Chiropractic care, 95.1% v. 81.1% for medical care.
- What best describes you today? Not restricted: Chiropractic care, 48.5% v 32.1% for medical care. Somewhat restricted Chiropractic care, 44.1% v. 50.0 for medical care. Very restricted: Chiropractic care, 7.4% v. 17.9% for medical care.
- What is your current level of activity: * Not restricted: Chiropractic care, 73.4% v. 53.9% for medical care. Somewhat restricted: Chiropractic care, 19.2% v. 29.4% for medical care. Very restricted: Chiropractic care, 7.4% v. 17.7% for medical care.
- I feel better now * Strongly agree: Chiropractic care, 78.5% v. 49.2% for medical care. Somewhat agree: Chiropractic care, 14.6% v. 22.0% for medical care. Strongly disagree: Chiropractic care, 6.9% v. 28.8% for medical care.
- I had good results from the treatment * Strongly agree: Chiropractic care, 82.9% v. 50.7% for medical care. Somewhat agree: Chiropractic care, 12.6% v. 24.8% for medical care. Strongly disagree: Chiropractic care, 4.6% v. 24.6% for medical care.
- The pain is worse now * Strongly agree: Chiropractic care, 4.4% v. 9.9% for medical care. Somewhat agree: Chiropractic care, 7.6% v. 19.6% for medical care. Strongly disagree: Chiropractic care, 88.0% v. 70.5% for medical care.
- Days off duty (0 days) Chiropractic care, 87.1% v. 66.1% for medical care. (1-4 days) Chiropractic care, 9.6% v. 25.8% for medical care.(5+ days) 3.3% v. 8.0% for medical care.
- Days on restricted duty (0 days) Chiropractic care, 71.5% v. 51.1% for medical care.(1-4 days) Chiropractic care, 4.2% v. 8.2% for medical care. (5+days) Chiropractic care, 2.3% v. 40.7% for medical care.
