Chiropractic Adjustments for Back Pain

Spinal manipulation is one of the most common reasons people see a chiropractor, and back pain is the most common problem they bring. Here is what the major guidelines and research reviews say it can and can't do.

What the guideline says

The American College of Physicians (ACP) issued a guideline for low back pain. For acute and subacute pain it recommends non-drug therapies "such as superficial heat, massage, acupuncture, or spinal manipulation." For chronic pain it recommends starting with "exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, acupuncture," and lists "cognitive behavioral therapy, or spinal manipulation" among other options. It also notes that "there were no clear comparative advantages for most treatments compared to one another."

In plain terms: spinal manipulation is a reasonable option, not a standout one. Several treatments performed about the same, and that is the honest summary.

How much it helps

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) summarizes the research this way: for low back pain, manipulation "may lead to small improvements in both pain and function." For acute low back pain, it reports a "modest improvement in pain," similar to NSAIDs. For chronic low back pain, there was "moderate-quality evidence that manipulation or mobilization was slightly better than other therapies" for back function.

The words to notice are small, modest and slightly. Adjustments are not a cure, and the evidence does not say they beat everything else.

Staying active matters

The NHS advice on back pain is to "stay active and try to continue with your daily activities" and not to stay in bed for long periods. A good chiropractic plan sits alongside that advice, not in place of it.

When back pain needs urgent care instead

The NHS (a UK source) lists these as reasons to seek emergency help: pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in both legs; loss of feeling around the genitals or anus; changes in bladder or bowel control; chest pain; or back pain that started after a serious accident. If you have any of these, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

Next step

If back pain is limiting you, book online or call 484.455.4664. Keep It Kinetic Chiropractic is at 3254 W Ridge Pike, Suite 202, Pottstown, PA 19464.