Chiropractic Therapy Effective for Easing Low Back Pain

Several clients in our Tumwater office have come to us with a goal of relieving their back discomfort, and Dr. Harrell has helped many of them overcome this problematic and debilitating issue. However, this is really no surprise since research shows that patients who engage in treatment via chiropractic often have a quicker recovery period than those who choose treatment with a medical doctor.

One Study's Outcome

Published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine involved 107 people with acute and sub-acute problems in their lower back. For purposes of the research, each participant was randomly assigned to one of three groups and got treatment by way of usual medical care, manual manipulation (chiropractic), or mechanical manipulation treatment using the Activator, a small handheld device that applies low levels of force to the spine to help realign it.

At the conclusion of four weeks, each individual involved in the study rated themselves in regard to both level of disability and discomfort. Those who engaged in chiropractic adjustments "demonstrated a clinically important and statistically significant reduction" of both when compared to those who participated in the other treatment methods (medical care and mechanical manipulation). Therefore, this study shows that quicker back pain recovery often begins with chiropractic therapy.

What Faster Recovery Means to You

In the most obvious of terms, faster heal time means that you will spend less time on the couch or in bed in an effort to lighten the pain. Thus, you can get back to the activities you enjoy at a quicker rate, whether they include playing with your kids or grandkids, engaging in various types of sports, or tending to a hobby that generally requires back health, such as gardening.

Quicker recovery also means reduced expenses. This is partially due to less time off work to care for your back pain, but studies also show that chiropractic therapy often costs less than obtaining treatment via usual medical care.

So, if you would like to experience quicker recovery from your back pain, call and schedule an appointment today with Dr. Harrell conveniently located here in Tumwater. The sooner you get in, the sooner you’ll feel better!

References

Liliedahl, R et al. (2010, Nov-Dec). Cost of care for common back pain conditions initiated with chiropractic doctor vs medical doctor/doctor of osteopathy as first physician: experience of one Tennessee-based general health insurer. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 33(9), 640-643, doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.08.018 Schneider, M et al. (2014, May). A comparison of chiropractic manipulation methods and usual medical care for low back pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20(5), A22-A23, doi: 10.1089/acm.2014.5055.abstract Stig, LC. (2001, May). Recovery pattern of patients treated with chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for long-lasting or recurrent back pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 24(4), 288-291. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11353940