Reducing Low Back Pain: Spinal Manipulation Therapy

SpinalStudyPDF

31 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time.[1] “Studies continue to show that maintenance care has long-term benefits. If you stop care, you lose all the benefits gained through treatment,” said Dr. Daniel Beebe, DC.

So what’s the best long-term treatment available to improve low back pain?
A new study shows that Spinal Manipulation Therapy is effective for the treatment of nonspecific low back pain AND recommends maintenance spinal manipulation as an effective method of maintaining low-term benefits.[2]

The Study: A single blinded, placebo controlled study of patients with nonspecific low back pain were divided into 3 groups.

Group 1 received 12 treatments of sham Spinal Manipulation Therapy for 1-month. Group 2 received 12 treatments of valid Spinal Manipulation Therapy for 1-month, BUT received no maintenance spinal manipulation for the following 9 months. Group 3 received 12 treatments of valid Spinal Manipulation Therapy for 1-month, AND received maintenance spinal manipulation for the following 9 months.

The Results: Only the 3rd group showed more improvement in their pain & disability scores at the 10-month evaluation. In fact, the pain & disability scores of Group 2 that did not receive maintenance spinal manipulation returned back near their pretreatment level at the 10-month evaluation.

Conclusion: Spinal Manipulation Therapy is effective for the treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain AND to obtain long-term benefits, maintenance spinal manipulation should be continued.

Beebe Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located in TigardOR within the Portland Metro area. Dr. Daniel Beebe cares for patients with sports, work & auto injuries, neck pain & lower back pain, headaches & migraines, chronic pain, scoliosis and more. For more information visit BeebeChiro.com or follow via Facebook or Twitter.


[1] Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98.

[2] Senna, Mohammed K., and Shereen A. Machaly. “Does Maintained Spinal Manipulation Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain Result in Better Long-Term Outcome?” Spine 36.18 (2011) 1427-437.

Posted in Back Pain, Chronic Pain, Health & Wellness, Natural Remedies, Preventative Treatments, Techniques & Treatments