Chiropractic Treatment of Back Pain: Facts & Statistics

/Home/Chiropractic Treatment for Low Back Pain

Chiropractic Treatment of Back Pain: Facts & Statistics
Last Updated: 08/11/2007
SpineUniverse.com

Although chiropractors care for more than just back pain, many patients visit chiropractors looking for relief from this pervasive condition. In fact, according to the American Chiropractic Association, more than 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time. (1)

A few interesting facts regarding back pain:

One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. (2)

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.

Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic-meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.

Americans spend at least $50 Billion each year on back pain-and that's just for the more easily identified costs. (3)

Experts estimate that as many as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in our lives. (4)

What Causes Back Pain?
The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements-for example, picking up a pencil from the floor- can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss.

Manipulation as a Treatment for Back Problems
Used primarily by Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) for the last century, manipulation has been largely ignored by most others in the health care community until recently. Now, with today's growing emphasis on treatment and cost effectiveness, manipulation is receiving more widespread attention.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation is a safe and effective spine pain treatment. It reduces pain, decreases medication, rapidly advances physical therapy, and requires very few passive forms of treatment, such as bed rest. (5)

In fact, after an extensive study of all currently available care for low back problems, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research-a federal government research organization-recommended that low back pain sufferers choose the most conservative care first. And it recommended spinal manipulation as the only safe and effective, drugless form of initial professional treatment for acute low back problems in adults. (6)

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) urges you to make an informed choice about your back care. To learn more about how chiropractic manipulation may help you, contact a Doctor of Chiropractic in your area or visit the ACA's Web site at www.acatoday.org.

Tips to Prevent Back Pain


Maintain a healthy diet and weight.

Remain active.

Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.

Warm up or stretch before exercising or other physical activities.

Maintain proper posture.

Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.

Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.

Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.

Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.

Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your workstation is ergonomically correct.

References:
1. Jensen M, Brant-Zawadzki M, Obuchowski N, et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Lumbar Spine in People Without Back Pain. N Engl J Med 1994; 331: 69-116.

2. Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98.

3. This total represents only the more readily identifiable costs for medical care, workers compensation payments and time lost from work. It does not include costs associated with lost personal income due to acquired physical limitation resulting from a back problem and lost employer productivity due to employee medical absence. In Project Briefs: Back Pain Patient Outcomes Assessment Team (BOAT). In MEDTEP Update, Vol. 1 Issue 1, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Rockville, MD, Summer 1994.

4. In Vallfors B, previously cited.

5. Time to recognize value of chiropractic care? Science and patient satisfaction surveys cite usefulness of spinal manipulation. Orthopedics Today 2003 Feb; 23(2):14-15.

6. Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults. Clinical Practice Guideline No.14. AHCPR Publication No. 95-0642. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, December, 1994.

Copyright © American Chiropractic Association. All rights reserved. Used by Permission.

Last Updated: 08/11/2007
What is this?
Editorial Board Comments on SpineUniverse

SpineUniverse is committed to ensuring that all information on its site is trustworthy and of the highest quality. To maintain the site's quality, SpineUniverse relies on its exceptional Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is a "Who's Who" of more than 60 leading spine specialists, including surgeons, pain management specialists, chiropractors, nurses, physical therapists and more.
Peer Review by Leading Specialists

Arn Strasser, D.C.
This useful, brief review draws attention to the magnitude of the problem of back pain. Spinal manipulation is introduced as a gentle, conservative approach to returning motion to restricted joints. I'm glad the article didn't mention "putting bones back in place", an outdated chiropractic concept. It is important to emphasize that many chiropractors utilize non-thrusting types of manipulation, such as flexion-distraction for the treatment of bulging and herniated discs, and non-force manual techniques. Modern-day chiropractors are eclectic in their approach to treating spinal and other health problems, while employing many variations of their central technique, spinal manipulation.

© 1999-2007 SpineUniverse.com
This information is not designed to replace a physician's independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions or back problem. SpineUniverse does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use of the SpineUniverse.com site is conditional upon your acceptance of our User Agreement