January 2023 Newsletter
Background:
Chiropractors have long advocated regular chiropractic adjustments in order to prevent pain from returning and to improve overall health. There is strong, authoritative evidence to back up that recommendation.
Who Conducted the Study?
The study was in the journal Spine, the premier journal for neck and back research.
What did the Study Reveal?
The study came to two conclusions. First, “chiropractic adjustments are effective for the treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain.” Second, to obtain long term benefit, the study suggests that patients follow “maintenance care after the initial intensive manipulative therapy.”
How was the Study Conducted?
Sixty patients who had suffered low back pain for at least six months were randomly assigned to one of three groups.
1. The first group was the control group. These patients were given 12 phony chiropractic adjustments over a one-month period and no further treatments for the following nine months.
2. The second group was given 12 true chiropractic adjustments over a one-month period, with no further treatments for the next nine months.
3. The third group was also given 12 true chiropractic adjustments over a one-month period, but then continued to receive “maintenance” adjustments every two weeks for the next nine months.
As you might expect, the second and third groups – the ones receiving true chiropractic adjustments – did significantly better than the first group at the end of the first month. However, only the third group – the group receiving regular maintenance adjustments for the following nine months – showed improvement at the end of the ten-month study. What about group two, did their improvement continue after their first month of adjustments ended? The answer is no. This group, which did not receive maintenance adjustments past the
first month, saw their pain and disability scores return to nearly the same level as when they began care.
What is the Lesson Learned?
The results are clear. Evidence proves that you would be well served by scheduling regular maintenance adjustments. Give us a call today.