The most common reason especially among middle-aged people seeking practitioners is lower back pain. It is also the most common reason for doctors prescribing controlling, addictive narcotics.
The latest evidence that spinal manipulation can offer an effective alternative to pain killers is published in the Journal of the American Medical association.
Researchers analysed 26 studies comprising of more than 1,700 patients with lower back pain. The analysis found that spinal manipulation can alleviate lower back pain as measured on a patients’ pain scale-1 to 10.
Spinal manipulation:
It is typically done by chiropractors, physical therapists, osteopaths, massage therapists and some other health providers. It involves application of pressure and moving joints in the spine.
Dr. Paul Shekelle, an internist in West Los Angeles Affairs Medical Center and the Rand Corp, says that patients undergoing spinal manipulation experienced a decline of 1 point in their pain rating. He quotes that it is the same amount of pain relief as from NSAIDS, OTC’s such as ibuprofen.
The study also found that spinal manipulation improved functional well being of a patient. On average, patients reported greater comfort in performing day-today activities like walking, turning over in bed and having a sound sleep.
The mechanism how spinal manipulation relieves back pain is not clear. However, it is believed that, it may reposition the small joints in the spine in a way it causes less pain. Another possibility says that it may restore some material between the vertebrae or it could simply relax muscles that may reduce the back pain.
There are many possible treatments for lower back pain including oral medicine, IV’s, corsets, traction, surgery, acupuncture and massage therapy. However, of about 200 treatment options, “no single treatment is proven superior”. The findings in this new study show that spinal manipulation may slightly shift that evaluation of benefits.
Even OTC’ medications have serious side effects and complications and spinal manipulation seems to be quite safe for treating lower back pain.
Medications taken for lower back pain could cause gastritis, rise in blood pressure and narcotics could lead to addiction. Dr. Steven Atlas, an internist at Harvard Medical School says the study offers more support for alternative treatments, especially for patients who are unable to find betterment with self-care techniques such as pads, exercise and yoga.
Further research could help in selecting patients who would benefit the most from Spinal manipulation therapy. This would pave way for doctors to refer patients to chiropractor or a physical therapist.