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March 7, 2017 In News By Walkley Chiropractic Group

Manipulation vs Diclofenac

In Australia, lower back pain is a serious problem that can result in pain, physical disability and a financial burden due to an inability to work. Studies show that 79.2% of Australian adults will suffer back pain at some stage during their life. In fact, at any one time 25.6% of the population are experiencing low back pain with 10% experiencing a high level of pain and/or disability (1).

Have you ever wondered what is the most effective treatment for lower back pain? A study conducted in 2013 compared the effectiveness of both prescribed anti-inflammatories and chiropractic adjustments (2). The study was a high quality double-blinded randomized controlled trial with a total of 101 participants. Patients suffering from acute low back pain were put in to 3 groups. The first group was given spinal manipulation and a placebo pill, the second was exposed to a sham manipulation and an anti-inflammatory drug, while the final group received a sham manipulation and a placebo pill.

Manipulation vs Diclofenac
Manipulation vs Diclofenac

The results of the study revealed that spinal manipulation was significantly better than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and clinically superior to placebo. Compared with medication, the spinal manipulation group had significantly less pain and also needed fewer days off work. This rigorous high quality study supports the already well-established body of evidence that spinal manipulation for lower back pain is superior to other common treatment modalities.

If you are seeking chiropractic care from the practitioners at Walkley Chiropractic Group when you suffer acute lower back pain, then you are making the best evidence based choice.

References:
  1. Walker BF, Muller R, Grant WD. Low back pain in Australian adults: prevalence and associated disability. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 May;27(4):238-44.
  1. von Heymann WJ, Schloemer P, Timm J, Muehlbauer B. Spinal high-velocity low amplitude manipulation in acute nonspecific low back pain: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial in comparison with diclofenac and placebo. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Apr 1;38(7):540-8.