Spinal Manipulation No Better Than Other Treatments for Acute Lower Back Pain

Manipulating or “adjusting” the spine is a popular way to treat occasional or acute lower back pain — defined as pain lasting six weeks or less — and is covered by many health insurance plans. However, a recent review by The Cochrane Library found no evidence to suggest that said adjustments are more effective than other therapy options, such as exercise and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). In fact, acute lower back pain resolves on its own in most cases.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), lower back pain, commonly caused by injury or overuse, affects eight out of 10 people. Spinal manipulation (SMT) — a technique used by chiropractors, osteopaths, naturopaths and some medical doctors — often is used to improve range of motion of the joints of the spine. For more information, click here to read the full release.