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In 2013, a study was done among 91 military personnel with lower back pain. While they all received basic and standard medical care in an attempt to treat their pain, half also received chiropractic care in addition. According to the study, 73 percent of those who received chiropractic care experienced moderate to substantial pain relief. This is compared to only 17 percent of those who experienced the same relief while receiving only standard medical care. They also received lower disability scores when assessed again by a doctor.

This study in the journal Spine is called “Adding chiropractic manipulative therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain: Results from a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness study” and was written by Dr. Goertz in 2013. It was a randomized controlled trial and all of the patients were 18 to 35 years of age. The abstract of the study makes no mention if the study was done only on males or on both genders, however the conclusion does state that the study shows chiropractic care can improve the health of those suffering from lower back pain in that age range and the difference was shown in men and women.

This study, unlike the last one highlighted in this blog, used not only the number system (one out of ten how bad is your pain), but also the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire after four weeks of treatment and therapy. The participants were screened first and were only included if they were active duty military, had been dealing with lower back pain for less than four weeks, and were excluded for things like leaving the base or being relocated within six weeks or if they were pregnant.

The patients who received chiropractic care as well as standard medical care were scheduled for up to two appointments a week with the chiropractor and were evaluated before the study with a physical exam, an exam of medical history, and any medical imaging the doctor deemed necessary. Some patients were also prescribed brief and minor massage therapy and stretching exercises for the affected area. Some also used ice and/or heat to relieve severe pain in the lower back.

For the most part, this study has shown that chiropractic care does help those dealing with back pain. If you’d like to come in and see for yourself, come on over to DiBella Chiropractic and make an informed decision.

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