Mary Franz - Feb 28th, 2011
Spinal manipulation is a popular and effective treatment for low back pain. In a recent study, researchers set out to evaluate the efficacy of spinal manipulation therapy in chronic non-specific low back pain as well as assess the use of maintenance spinal manipulation therapy to minimize pain and disability in the long-term.
The study involved 60 patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain that had a duration of at least 6 months. They were divided into three groups. Group 1 received 12 treatments of sham spinal manipulation therapy for one month. Group 2 had 12 treatments of spinal manipulation in a month. Group 3 was treated the same as group 2 for the first month, but then had follow-up maintenance spinal manipulation every 2 weeks for the next 9 months.
Group 2 and 3 had lower pain and disability scores than the first group after one month. The third group was the only group to have additional improvement at the 10-month evaluation mark. Group 2's pain and disability had returned to pre-treatment levels.
The study shows the importance of follow-up maintenance spinal manipulation therapy with your chiropractor to lower pain and disability issues in the long-term.
Senna MK, Machaly SA: Does maintained Spinal manipulation therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain result in better long term outcome? Spine 2011 Jan 17.
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