Our research

Research that will improve musculoskeletal health

The Department of Chiropractic is committed to undertaking research that will improve the musculoskeletal health of the community.

Our purpose is to advance knowledge in musculoskeletal health by undertaking high quality, impactful research and research training to improve clinical practice, inform healthcare policy, and improve health outcomes of the community.

Research at the Department of Chiropractic

Macquarie University has distinguished itself as one of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. Macquarie has outstanding achievements in research income, citations ranking, supporting Centres of Research Excellence, and the timely completion of excellent higher degree research by students.

The Department of Chiropractic aims to actively foster academic staff and postgraduate research in areas of community health, complementary medicine, and evidence-based chiropractic practice and teaching. The Department maintains a diverse range of research interests in such areas as clinical, basic and applied chiropractic sciences, and community health.

Research strengths of the Department of Chiropractic include the following areas:

• Implementation research, particularly around the use of imaging for lower back pain
• Intervention research for chronic musculoskeletal-related conditions, with a focus on spinal pain
• Exploring musculoskeletal conditions across the lifespan, including adolescence, adulthood and ageing
• Research into the safety of chiropractic treatment
• Education research, with a focus on teaching anatomy.

The Department’s future research focus includes:

• Research infrastructure
• Research training of current staff
• Recruiting excellent higher degree research (HDR) students
• Fostering academic collaboration
• Fostering industry collaboration.