The Human Wellness Project® is the clinical research arm of the Human Health Optimization Prospective Evaluation Study (HHOPE Study). Human health consists of optimum chemical, emotional and structural interactions. The physiology, and chemistry, of the body has been well studied and makes up the basis of most of modern healthcare. The importance of emotional and mental well being has been extensively studied. The frame and structure of the body, and its importance to function and wellness, is the most neglected aspect of human health. This is true despite the fact that Hippocrates, who is considered the father of modern medicine, stated over two thousand years ago, in illness look first towards the spine.
The importance of human structure, to human function and optimal health, has been discussed for centuries. Unfortunately, the role of the human frame in human health has, however, not been adequately, nor formally, studied. The Mission of the Human Wellness Project through the HHOPE Study, is to systematically investigate the role of proper structure of the spine, and entire human frame, on the function and ultimate health and longevity of the human species.
Abstract:
Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy has evolved into one of, if not, the best studied and documented treatments for acute and chronic lower back syndromes (Chou et al. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Oct 2;147(7):492-504). The volume of research supporting the use of spinal manipulation for mechanical spine pain has moved this aspect of chiropractic care from an alternative medicine procedure to mainstream care. However, historically, chiropractors believed that regular care to the spine would not only alleviate pain, but could also positively influence the general health and well being of patients. This aspect of chiropractic practice thus continues to be an alternative medical approach to health. The Human Wellness Project is a multi-center prospective outcomes study designed to compare the general health and well being of patients (using the standardized health index, MOS-36) who are under regular chiropractic care with those who use chiropractic care for only the relief of spinal pain syndromes. To date a number of centers are participating in this prospective study. After six months of data collection the overall MOS score for those patients who have received regular chiropractic care is 55, compared with those who have received less than 8 visits whose score was 35. The Human Wellness Project will continue to gather and analyze MOS-36 data from regular chiropractic patients and compare their scores from patients who utilize chiropractic care on a pain relief basis.
