Not only are Chiropractic adjustments effective at eliminating low back pain (LBP), but ongoing maintenance care results in better long term outcomes. These findings are from a study published in the journal Spine.

The prospective, blinded, placebo-controlled study tracked 60 patients, with chronic, nonspecific LBP lasting at least 6 months.

According to the article, patients “were randomized to receive either (1) 12 treatments of sham adjustments over a 1-month period, (2) 12 treatments, consisting of adjustments over a 1-month period, but no treatments for the subsequent 9 months, or (3) 12 treatments over a 1-month period, along with “maintenance spinal manipulation” every 2 weeks for the following 9 months. To determine any difference among therapies, we measured pain and disability scores, generic health status, and back-specific patient satisfaction at baseline and at 1-, 4-, 7-, and 10-month intervals.”

Results revealed that “patients in second and third groups experienced significantly lower pain and disability scores than first group at the end of 1-month period. However, only the third group that was given Chiropractic adjustments during the follow-up period showed more improvement in pain and disability scores at the 10-month evaluation.”

The study’s authors conclude: Chiropractic adjustments are effective for the treatment of chronic nonspecific LBP. To obtain long-term benefit, this study suggests regular Chiropractic care every 2 weeks after the initial intensive manipulative therapy.

Spine – August 15, 2011;36:1427-1437.