Chiropractic Care More Effective for Low Back Pain Than Medical Intervention
Experts estimate that as much as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives. But new data shows that chiropractic care for lower back pain is more effective than standard medical intervention alone when it comes to relief and overall patient satisfaction.
The findings concerning how to treat lower back pain were reported by Christine M. Goertz, DC, PhD, from Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa, and colleagues in an article published May 18 in JAMA Network Open, says Medscape.
The study compared six weeks of traditional medical care in tandem with chiropractic care and traditional medical care alone. The chiropractic care techniques incorporated in the study included lower back spinal manipulations, heat and cold therapy, and more. Standard care, on the other hand, incorporated medicines, self-care, and other physical therapy clinic referrals.
"Using self-reported pain intensity and disability as the main outcome measures, combined therapy was more effective than usual medical care alone. Those who received chiropractic care were also more satisfied with their care. These findings support how important a multidisciplinary approach is to successfully treat low back pain," writes Medscape advisor and senior medical director for WebMD, Dr. Arefa Cassoobhoy.
Patients should take away a number of points from these data results about chiropractic care for lower back pain. First, based on the level of pain relief the patients in the study reported, it's definitely worth considering alternative care options as opposed to, or in tandem with, traditional medical intervention. Finding the right chiropractor to provide sciatica treatment may take some time, but quality chiropractic care is a valuable type of treatment.
"The changes in patient-reported pain intensity and disability, as well as satisfaction with care and low risk of harms favoring [usual medical care] with chiropractic care found in this pragmatic clinical trial, are consistent with the existing literature on spinal manipulative therapy. The magnitude of mean between-group differences for both pain...and disability...are consistent with a moderate magnitude of effect as classified by the American College of Physicians and American Pain Society guidelines," write the authors of the study.
There are 77,000 chiropractors in the United States who are required to pass a series of four national board exams and be state-licensed. Roughly another 3,000 chiropractors work in academic and management roles. With that in mind, there's almost certain to be a type of chiropractic adjustment treatment that's right for treating your lower back pain. For more information about quality chiropractic care, contact Garden State Spinal Care.
