New Research: Chiropractic Improves Speed to Harvest & Feed Efficiency in Pigs

Recent research reported in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research reveals that chiropractic may be beneficial in improving speed to harvest and feed efficiency in pigs. “Research is revealing that correcting structural shifts in spinal alignment and the nerve obstruction they cause may result in the improvement of human function including failure to thrive in infants. Why wouldn’t it be the same in other animals?” stated  Matthew McCoy DC, MPH a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.  

CLICK HERE to review the research

McCoy added “If you damage or compress or otherwise interfere with the neurological structures in the spine this can have far reaching implications on the functioning of the body. Through research reports like this we are finding that correcting the structural abnormalities associated with these spinal problems reduces the nerve obstructions and the animal experiences improvement. In this study it was an improvement in rate of gain for piglets in the adjusted group.” 

Many studies have shown that chiropractic improves failure to thrive in human infants so the idea that chiropractic could result in an improvement in rate of gain, improved speed to harvest and feed efficiency in pigs should not be a huge surprise but this is the first research study to demonstrate this. 

This study evaluated 109 piglets of similar age and weight.  They were randomly assigned to the control group or a chiropractic adjustment group.  All piglets were handled following the established protocol, except the control group did not receive chiropractic adjustments.  The piglets were sent to a growing pen, a fattening pen, then to harvest.  Finished pigs were scheduled to be sold every two weeks at this operation. 

Results showed that the group that received chiropractic reached harvest weight on average six days sooner than the control group.  The adjustment group also averaged a shorter time from weaning to harvest in comparison to the control group.  The improved speed to harvest and feed efficiency helped reduce feed costs. 

The study’s authors called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population of animals. 

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research
https://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/vertebral-subluxation-research-1/
support@vertebralsubluxationresearch.com