Management of arthritis: Chiropractic wellness approach

OBJECTIVES

The importance of integrating healthy behavior counseling into routine health care is universal, but may depend on the type of medical care provider. We evaluated whether health promotion recommendations for known risk factors of arthritis progression differed between general medical doctors and chiropractors in a nationally representative US population with arthritis.

METHODS

Multiple logistic regression models were used for analyses of data from the Sample Adult Core component of the 2006 National Health Interview Survey (n=5410 diagnosed with arthritis). Analyses were performed separately for recommendation of weight loss and increase in exercise by health profession subtype (chiropractor and medical doctor).

RESULTS

Chiropractors were less likely to counsel their arthritic patients to exercise more compared to medical doctors (adjusted OR (95% CI) = 0.75 (0.53-1.05). Similar results were observed for recommendations of weight loss in overweight arthritic patients (adjusted OR (95% CI) = 0.70 (0.46-1.05).

CONCLUSION

Chiropractors in the United States may be making some health promotion efforts and applying wellness approach in the management of arthritis. This effort may not differ significantly, in statistical terms, from that made by medical doctors. However, given the recent implementation of required clinical competencies in health promotion into chiropractic college curriculums, future studies regarding translation of learned wellness messages into public practice will be more informative.