Brian Anderson, D.C., M.P.H., M.S., Ph.D.

The overarching goal of my research is to inform best practices and shape health policy for managing spinal disorders. This is achieved by systematically analyzing administrative claims datasets to evaluate associations between treatment patterns and exposure to escalated, low-value care interventions. The anticipated outcome of this research includes improved patient outcomes and reduced reliance on unnecessary and costly medical procedures. Additional interests include research synthesis methods (e.g., scoping reviews), and a range of topics within the sphere of educational research.

Research Keywords

Health services research, low back pain, neck pain, opioids, chiropractic, cost effectiveness, care escalation, clinical practice guidelines, survey research, evidence synthesis, educational research

• Doctor of Philosophy, Health Sciences (Ph.D), Northern Illinois University
• Master of Science, Advanced Clinical Practice (M.S.), National University of Health Sciences
• Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), National University of Health Sciences
• Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Benedictine University
• Bachelor of Science, Public Health (B.S.), Northern Illinois University
• Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. McKenzie Institute USA (2014)

• Member, Faculty Senate, Palmer College of Chiropractic – 2020-present 
• Peer mentor- Research Aspirations, Interests, & Skills Exploratory Ad Hoc Committee- 2022-present 
• Peer reviewer, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies – 2015-present 
• Peer reviewer, Journal of Chiropractic Medicine – 2015-present 
• Peer reviewer, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics- 2020-present 
• Peer reviewer, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy – 2015-present 
• Peer reviewer, Journal of General Internal Medicine – 2021-present 
• Peer reviewer, Chiropractic and Manual Therapies – 2022-present 
• Peer reviewer, Journal of Chiropractic Education – 2015-present 
• Abstract reviewer, World Federation of Chiropractic Biennial Congress – 2021-present 
• Abstract reviewer, American College of Chiropractic Research and Agenda Conference – 2019-present 
• Abstract reviewer, International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health – 2021-present 
• Abstract reviewer, Academy Health Annual Research Meeting – 2023-present  
• Best scientific paper- Association of Chiropractic Colleges – Research Agenda Conference. “Analyzing insurance claims to determine patterns of chiropractic care for low back pain and their association with treatment escalation” (2021) 
• Best scientific paper- Association of Chiropractic Colleges – Research Agenda Conference. “Quantifying the impact of COVID-19 on the utilization of musculoskeletal healthcare services- a cohort study of insurance claims from 2019-2020” (2022) 
• Best scientific paper- Association of Chiropractic Colleges – Research Agenda Conference. “COVID-19 related curricular changes and their impact on National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Part I scores- A cohort study comparing classroom vs remote basic science instruction” (2023) 
• Early Career Researcher award-winning poster. Spinal manipulation dose and care escalation in low back pain. CARLoquium virtual symposium (2022) 

Whedon JM, Anderson BR, Moonaz, S, Coulter I, Haldeman S, Hurwitz E, Toler A, MacKenzie T, Lurie J. Spinal Manipulative Therapy vs. Prescription Drug Therapy for Care of Aged Medicare Beneficiaries with Neck Pain (2R15AT010035-02). Funding period- July 2022-July 2024. PI: James Whedon DC, MS. Role: Co-investigator and primary analyst 

1. Anderson BR, Whedon J, Herman P. Dosing of lumbar spinal manipulative therapy and its association with care escalation: A cohort study of insurance 
   claims. PLOS One 19(1): e0283252, 2024.
2. Anderson BR, Hays R, Herman P. Predictors of Pain Management Strategies in Adults with Low Back Pain: A Secondary Analysis of Amazon Mechanical Turk Survey Data. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine; 30(3), 2024.
3. Anderson BR, McClellan S. Three patterns of spinal manipulative therapy for back pain and their association with imaging studies, injection procedures and surgery: A cohort study of insurance claims. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2021 (44,9) pp 683-689.
4. Anderson BR, Yakusheva O, Liu H, Anderson BR, Bynum JP, Davis MA. The Relationship between Healthcare Provider Availability and Conservative versus Non-Conservative Treatment for Back Pain among Older Americans. Journal of General Internal Medicine March 2022, pp 992-994.
5. Anderson BR, Long C, McClellan WS. Risk of Treatment Escalation in Recipients vs Nonrecipients of Spinal Manipulation for Musculoskeletal Cervical Spine Disorders: An Analysis of Insurance Claims. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (44,5) pp 372-377.