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A meta-analysis of studies has found that spinal manipulation can have a modest effect on pain and mobility:
One of the most common reasons people go to the doctor is lower back pain, and one of the most common reasons doctors prescribe powerful, addictive narcotics is lower back pain. Now, new research published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association offers the latest evidence that spinal manipulation can offer a modestly effective alternative.
Researchers analyzed 26 studies involving more than 1,700 patients with lower back pain. The analysis found spinal manipulation can reduce lower back pain as measured by patients on a pain scale, like this one from zero to 10. Spinal manipulation, which is typically done by chiropractors and physical therapists, involves applying pressure and moving joints in the spine.
Patients undergoing spinal manipulation experienced a decline of 1 point in their pain rating, says Dr. Paul Shekelle, an internist with the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Rand Corp. who headed the study. "So if it had been a 7 it would be a 6, or if it had been a 5 it would be a 4," Shekelle says. That's about the same amount of pain relief as from NSAIDs, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen.
The study also found spinal manipulation modestly improved function. On average, patients reported greater ease and comfort engaging in two day-to-day activities, such as finding they could walk more quickly, were having less difficulty turning over in bed or were sleeping more soundly.
Have you used "alternative" methods for back pain relief? Can I relieve two pain points by combining spinal manipulation with an NSAID? Is this just a way for the VA to reduce costs, or is it aimed at the war on opiates?
(Score: 4, Insightful) by anubi on Sunday April 16 2017, @06:06AM (6 children)
This back pain... is its root cause mechanical? If so the cure is also likely mechanical.
Trying to ram narcotics to the brain won't fix a pinched nerve. No more than filling the crankcase of my engine with liquid mechanic is going to fix a failed bearing.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 16 2017, @06:25AM (4 children)
And we wonder why we have an opioid crisis.
A little yoga can go a long way; I'm another AC that uses twisting exercises to help with the spine.
But that's just reason #543 there's an opioid crisis.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Sunday April 16 2017, @06:29AM (1 child)
When all you got is a supply of pills. Every problem looks like a pill problem..
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 16 2017, @07:05AM
Food pills will solve world hunger. Any day now.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 16 2017, @07:41AM (1 child)
Yoga... you would promote witchcraft and Satatic rituals? Typical liberal trying to destroy America. Disgusting. SAD.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Sunday April 16 2017, @11:16PM
Nom-nomaste!
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 16 2017, @06:55PM
Agreed. I believe I've traced my various backaches to many minor crashes on mini-bikes and dirt bikes when I was a teen. Back then I shrugged off the pain and it mostly went away quickly.
As far as the "one pain point" improvement mentioned in TFA, I'm guessing that is an average. One good hour with a massage therapist that knows my body can take me from say, "6" down to 1 or 2. And sometimes I get no relief, takes a second hour to work through the issues.
When I meet someone with back pain I often suggest some kind of mechanical relief, but always with the comment, different strokes for different folks.