Abstract
Worldwide there was a growing trend towards the recognition of Chiropractic, but little was
known of this recognition in South Africa. However, with regards to the Western Region of
Johannesburg, it was unclear how the medical profession viewed Chiropractic and how effective
they viewed Chiropractic in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
This study attempted to establish how medical doctors viewed Chiropractic and to determine
how Chiropractors compared to physiotherapists in the opinion of the medical profession in the
treatment of common neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
A questionnaire was hand-delivered to the consulting rooms of each general practitioner,
orthopedic surgeon and neurologist/neurosurgeon in the Western Region of Johannesburg. The
researcher with the aid of a statistical consultant drew up the questionnaire.
The data was analysed using the SPSS 13 (2005), SPSS Incorporated, Chicago using descriptives
and frequencies. To compare Chiropractic treatment to physiotherapy, statistical significance
was calculated using a Paired Samples Test (T-Test).
The results of this study found that the doctors had a positive view of Chiropractic as a
profession. When comparing Chiropractic to physiotherapy, statistical analysis revealed that
physiotherapy was seen as more effective. Physiotherapists were also more likely to receive
referrals from medical doctors than Chiropractors.
The results of this study were in accordance with worldwide trends in that Chiropractic was
growing in recognition and was viewed as beneficial in the health care system. However, more
education of the medical profession with regards to Chiropractic and more research comparing
Chiropractic effectiveness compared to physiotherapy were needed.
Dr. M. Moodley
Dr. J. Mitchell