Neck & Back Pain — Base Camp Chiropractic

This study provides evidence that spinal manipulative technique is more effective than medication in patients with acute and subacute neck pain in both the short and long term. Instructional sessions of home exercise and advice resulted in similar outcomes.

In a study funded by NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to test the effectiveness of different approaches for treating mechanical neck pain, 272 participants were divided into three groups that received either spinal manipulative therapy from a doctor of chiropractic, pain medication (over-the-counter pain relievers, narcotics and muscle relaxants) or exercise recommendations. After 12 weeks, about 57 percent of those who met with chiropractors and 48 percent who exercised reported at least a 75 percent reduction in pain, compared to 33 percent of the people in the medication group. After one year, approximately 53 percent of the drug-free groups continued to report at least a 75 percent reduction in pain; compared to just 38 percent pain reduction among those who took medication.

There is moderate evidence that spinal manipulative therapy/mobilization is superior to general practitioner management for short-term neck and low back pain reduction. Recommendations can be made with some confidence regarding the use of spinal manipulative technique and/or mobilization as a viable option for the treatment of both low back pain and neck pain.

In this study, patients with chronic low-back pain treated by chiropractors showed greater improvement and satisfaction at one month than patients treated by family physicians. Satisfaction scores were higher for chiropractic patients. A higher proportion of chiropractic patients (56% vs. 13%) reported that their low-back pain was better or much better, whereas nearly one-third of medical patients reported their low-back pain was worse or much worse.