Chiropractic Therapy

The Effects of Chiropractic Therapy on the Lower Back

Chiropractic therapy is a health care profession that focuses on non-invasive treatment of mainly the spine and the manipulation of the body’s structure. Manipulation of the spine is the main use of chiropractic therapy, this is completed by adjusting certain areas for realignment purposes. This will relieve pain, improve function and supports the body’s natural ability to heal itself. [1] Lower back pain is the most common form of pain across adults, as it affects up to 80% at some point in their life. [2] Chiropractic therapy is an effect treatment on the lower back as it alleviates pain and improves function. [3] This treatment is performed in two ways, spinal manipulation: High-Velocity,

Acetaminophen is available in different strengths which is used to treat different levels of pain. Acetaminophen hinders the synthesis of chemical messengers called prostaglandins. [9] These transmit pain signals and acetaminophen works bey preventing these signals from passing through, translating in the body to a sense of reduction in pain. [9] Medication was shown to be equally the most effective treatment along with chiropractic treamtent for all round lower back pain, especially for long term (over 1.5 years) use of the treatment.

Some research suggests it to be beneficial, however it has more of an undermining effect on healing if done incorrectly. This sort of treatment relies heavy on the patient to be consistent with the exercise schedule. Physical therapy treatment was shown to be less effective than chiropractic and medication. [10]

Placebo therapy is when patients are given fake medication or treatment in order to compare the effect of the treatment and determine the validity of the therapies. The chiropractic therapy and the medication was shown have better results, physical therapy had around the same results and no therapy (control group) with worse results. Placebo showed signs of worse function overall than improvement. [11]

No therapy patients underwent no form of treatment and documented whether or not their condition improved through natural healing. This group did not part take in any sort of therapy to improve strength or mobility, this was classed as the control group. The control group overall showed worse results than to begin with. They had a decrease in function and mobility and an increase in pain.