Many people seek the aid of a chiropractor for alleviating low back pain. However, spinal manipulation therapy may not be effective in reducing acute low back pain, according to a study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases .

Many people seek the aid of a chiropractor for alleviating low back pain. However, spinal manipulation therapy may not be effective in reducing acute low back pain, according to a study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases .

 Swiss researchers studied 104 patients with acute low back pain in order to determine whether treatment with spinal manipulation therapy (SMT), in addition to standard care (including medical advice, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain medications), was associated with reductions in pain or medication usage. Half of the study participants were treated with standard care and the other half were treated with both SMT and standard care. The researchers found that the differences in pain reduction between the 2 groups were not statistically significant. Although the group treated with SMT seemed to use less pain medication, the difference in medication usage decreased over time.

Currently, American guidelines for the treatment of low back pain recommend early referral to a chiropractor for SMT in order to reduce the likelihood of developing chronic low back pain. However, these guidelines are not universal, and this study suggests that SMT may not necessarily reduce the intensity of pain or the need for pain medications.

Source

Ann Rheum Dis. Published online September 5, 2008.