In July 2005 The Journal Annals Of Internal Medicine
The Journal Annals of Internal Medicine is a peer-reviewed medical journal that publishes research articles, reviews, and editorials on internal medicine. In July 2005, the journal published a study that was widely reported in the media, and caused a great deal of controversy in the medical community.
The Study
The study in question was a randomized controlled trial that compared the effectiveness of three different treatments for chronic low back pain: chiropractic care, conventional medical care, and a placebo treatment. The study involved 681 patients who had been suffering from low back pain for at least three months.
The results of the study showed that chiropractic care was more effective than conventional medical care or placebo treatment for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Specifically, patients who received chiropractic care reported greater improvement in pain and disability than those who received conventional medical care or placebo treatment.
The Controversy
The publication of this study in the Annals of Internal Medicine caused a great deal of controversy in the medical community, particularly among medical doctors who were skeptical of chiropractic care. Some critics argued that the study was flawed, citing concerns about the study's methodology and the reliability of the data.
Other critics argued that the study was biased, pointing out that the lead author of the study was a chiropractor and that the study was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a government agency that supports research into alternative medical therapies.
The Aftermath
Despite the controversy surrounding the study, the publication of the study in the Annals of Internal Medicine had a significant impact on the medical community. The study was widely cited in subsequent research on the treatment of chronic low back pain, and it helped to legitimize chiropractic care as a viable treatment option for this condition.
Moreover, the publication of the study in a prestigious medical journal like the Annals of Internal Medicine helped to raise awareness of the need for more research into alternative medical therapies. This, in turn, has led to increased funding for research into alternative medical therapies, and has helped to promote greater collaboration between conventional medical practitioners and alternative medical practitioners.
Conclusion
The publication of the study on chronic low back pain in the Annals of Internal Medicine in July 2005 was a significant event in the history of alternative medical therapies. Despite the controversy surrounding the study, it helped to legitimize chiropractic care as a viable treatment option for chronic low back pain, and it helped to raise awareness of the need for more research into alternative medical therapies.