Study Touts Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Kids With Low Back Pain

Published in the January 2003 issue of the peer-reviewed periodical, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), is the results of a study on lower back pain in children.  The journal article starts off by noting that about 50% of children suffer from lower back pain at one time or another.  It also notes that about 15% of children experience frequent or continual pain.

The study was conducted on 54 children between the ages of 4 and 18 in  the cities of Calgary, Alberta, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  In the study the children with lower back pain received chiropractic care from a variety of volunteer chiropractors in Canada.  The children were tracked regularly during the study to monitor their progress. Results were obtained in several ways including responses from the patients themselves on how they felt their progress was coming.

Results of the study showed improvement over the follow-up period was observed in 46% to 92% of the children for various criteria. In a period of 30 days 82% of the children reported that they were "much improved."

The researchers conclusions were, "Patients responded favorably to chiropractic management, and there were no reported complications."

Low back pain is one the most common ailments people suffer from. In fact, about 85% of people will experience a bout of debilitating lower back pain in their lifetime. The problem is so severe that at any given moment, 6.8% of the entire US population is having an episode of low back pain lasting more than 2 weeks.(1). The estimated cost of low back pain is $50 million every year.(2).

Chiropractors approach low back pain differently than medical doctors or physical therapists. In many cases chiropractic care can correct your problem without using drugs or risky surgery. Our purpose is to gently rebalance your muscles and realign your spine to relieve pressure on your nerves, and muscles. Chiropractors diagnose and correct Vertebral Subluxation which is a misalignment of your spine causing pressure on the nerves and an imbalance of your musculature. Chiropractic should be the first step in diagnosing and correcting the cause of low back pain because of it‚s natural and non-invasive approach.

Major government studies from the US, UK, Canada, and New Zealand have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Chiropractic care is the safest, most cost effective, and most effective care for low back pain. Even more amazing is the fact that patients who used Chiropractic were three times as likely to report being „very satisfied‰ as compared with conventional medical treatment. Also of note was that Chiropractic was the most effective for those with a history of severe pain.(3).

Drugs such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, and pain killers, physical therapy, and even surgery do not correct subluxations of the spine. Why not get adjusted? It is the safe, fast, and effective treatment of Vertebral Subluxation causing lower back pain.

Sciatica Leg Pain

If you have ever experienced Sciatica pain, you know how irritating and debilitating it can be. The Sciatic nerve is the longest and largest in the entire body, beginning in your lower back and extending into your toes. Inflammation of this nerve is termed sciatica and can cause pain from the lower back to anywhere in the thighs, calves, feet, and toes. It is often described as a deep „bone/pain, and can be accompanied by burning pain, or pins and needles/numbness type pain. Sciatic pain tends to come and go prompting some people to not treat it, or to treat the symptom with drugs.

Sciatic pain can be caused by Vertebral Subluxation of the spine, or a misalignment of the spine causing irritation to the nerve and imbalance to the muscles. It can also be caused by a bulge in the disc, or cushion between the bones, and even tight muscles in the pelvis and glute area particularly the Piriformis muscle which transverses the nerve.

Chiropractic care can produce dramatic results with sciatic pain. One controlled study of four different approaches to sciatic pain (spinal care, traction, and two types of injections) championed spinal care as the most effective treatment for sciatic pain (4).  Chiropractic care appears to have the most significant effect when tried first, before traction, or injections, unfortunately many people wait to try chiropractic after everything else has failed. If you or someone you know suffers from sciatic pain, a consultation with our office should be scheduled. If you suffer from subluxation or muscular imbalance we will diagnose and correct those conditions reducing nerve irritation allowing your body to heal naturally.

Chiropractic More Effective Than Outpatient Hospital Care for Lower Back Pain

The British Medical Journal reports that a three-year study proves what most chiropractic patients already know.  Chiropractic care is more effective with higher patient satisfaction than outpatient medical care for these types of problems.  The study reported involved 741 men and women with low back pain.  A 3 year follow up showed that there was 29% higher improvement in those receiving chiropractic care over those receiving out-patient medical care.  In addition more of the patients rated chiropractic more helpful than the hospital management.  The conclusion of the study was that those seen by chiropractors derive more benefits and long-term satisfaction than those treated by hospitals.

Do You Think You Have Lower Back Problems, or
Does Lower Back Problems Effect the Way You Think?

Published in the February 1st 1999 issue of “Spine” research magazine, was a study that showed a link between chronic low back pain and slower reaction times, reduced short term memory, and certain motor tasks.  The study measured subjects with chronic lower back pain using a computer to test their short term memory and reaction time to certain items that appeared on the screen.

The conclusion was that chronic Lower Back Pain hampers short term memory and decreases the patients speed of process of certain information.

In a related note the “Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics” July August 1999 issue published a pilot study comparing chiropractic care to acupuncture and medication for patients with chronic low back problems.  The results were that no change took place with the acupuncture and medication group while significant changes occurred in the chiropractic group. 

Considering the information above about memory and reaction times we can see the profound positive effect chiropractic can have on these patients.

Do You Think You Have Lower Back Problems, or Does Lower Back Problems Effect the Way You Think?

Published in the February 1st 1999 issue of “Spine” research magazine, was a study that showed a link between chronic low back pain and slower reaction times, reduced short term memory, and certain motor tasks.  The study measured subjects with chronic lower back pain using a computer to test their short term memory and reaction time to certain items that appeared on the screen.

The conclusion was that chronic Lower Back Pain hampers short term memory and decreases the patients speed of process of certain information.

In a related note the “Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics” July August 1999 issue published a pilot study comparing chiropractic care to acupuncture and medication for patients with chronic low back problems.  The results were that no change took place with the acupuncture and medication group while significant changes occurred in the chiropractic group.  Considering the information above about memory and reaction times we can see the profound positive effect chiropractic can have on these patients.