Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
The study started by recruiting 192 subjects who experienced subacute back pain in 2 to 6 weeks duration. The aim of the research is to gauge the effectiveness of Chiropractic care and Muscle Relaxants or (NSAID’s), the study aims to blind the
subject to ensure neutral results based on the subjects perspective. The subjects were then distributed into 3 groups:
1. Chiropractic care with placebo
2. Muscle relaxant with sham chiropractic manipulation
3. Placebo and Sham Chiropractic Manipulation
These interventions were applied for 2 weeks on subjects (depending on their group). In one week, most patients in all groups showed pain reduction including placebo, some still complain about pain and their pain levels were recorded. At week 2 most no longer feel back pain although there were some that still feel the pain. To make sure that subjects were blinded, a questionnaire was distributed with a question if the patient doubted they received real chiropractic manipulation, the subjects answer were recorded and considered to ensure the results of the study is intact.
The study concluded at 4 weeks showing most patients no longer their back pain, however they found out that Chiropractic Manipulation greatly improved most subject’s pain level. In fact the study concluded that chiropractic manipulation is appropriate for long term pain management for subacute back pain. With this in mind, it can be said that most subacute pain felt by 75% of adults in the US can be relieved through chiropractic care and manipulation in the long run.
Follow Us!