Research Shows Chiropractic Care Reduces Low Back Pain

Evidence based research is vital when trying to set medical community standards and further investigate what works when trying to improve medical conditions. As a chiropractor, I see firsthand how many patients benefit from adjustments and therapies when dealing with low back pain. Low back pain is often the reason for someone's first visit. 

A 2018 study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) is among the latest to weigh in on the pros of chiropractic care for treating low back pain. Researchers enrolled 750 active-duty military personnel who complained of back pain. Half were randomly assigned to receive usual care (including medications, self-care, and physical therapy) while the other half received usual care plus up to 12 chiropractic treatments.

After SIX WEEKS of treatment, those assigned to receive chiropractic care:

1. Reported less pain intensity
2. Experienced less disability and more improvement in function
3. Reported higher satisfaction with their treatment
4. Needed less pain medicine.

Conclusion: 

Chiropractic care resulted in moderate short-term improvements in low back pain intensity and disability in active-duty military personnel. This trial provides additional support for the inclusion of chiropractic care as a component of multidisciplinary health care for low back pain, as currently recommended in existing guidelines.