Chiropractic spinal manipulation associated with reduction in low back surgery

Medical Xpress / University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center / BMJ Open ^ | Dec. 19, 2022 | Robert James Trager et al

[ConservativeMind]

A recent study has found that adults who initially visit a chiropractor to receive spinal manipulation for low back pain caused by disc herniation or radiculopathy (i.e., sciatica) are less likely to undergo discectomy (i.e., disc surgery) over the subsequent two years.

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as low back and neck pain. The most common therapy that chiropractors use is spinal manipulation, which includes a range of hands-on treatments directed to the joints of the spine. While chiropractic spinal manipulation has been found to be effective for treating low back pain, there has been limited research that explores whether this treatment is associated with a reduction in spine surgery.

The authors found that patients who initially received chiropractic spinal manipulation for their low back pain were significantly less likely to undergo lumbar discectomy through two years' follow-up.

- At one year follow-up, 1.5% of the patients in the chiropractic cohort had undergone discectomy, compared to 2.2% of patients in the cohort receiving other care

- At two years' follow-up, 1.9% of the patients in the chiropractic cohort had undergone discectomy, compared to 2.4% of patients in the cohort receiving other care

This study builds on previous work that explored the relationship between chiropractic and surgery. Specifically, the authors examined a more specific population of low back pain, and a more specific outcome of discectomy. It represents the first study to examine whether chiropractic care is associated with a reduction in likelihood of discectomy. While the finding that chiropractic spinal manipulation is associated with a reduced likelihood of discectomy is promising, the study design was observational and included real-world data.

The lead author, Robert J. Trager, is a chiropractic physician at Connor Whole Health, University Hospitals.

[TChad]

I had to learn to never let myself lift anything above my waist with both arms, then twist my back. Agony sometimes followed.

About 20 years ago I was having one of my periodic back pain episodes. Somehow I decided to fully inflate my lungs when I was lying on my back, then to hold my breath as I did a fast sit-up. That stretched my spine over my lungs. I felt something rip in my back, which hurt a bit, then came the usual snap-crackle-pop. Whatever that accomplished physically, it eliminated the main source of the pain instantly. I have had no serious back pain since.

[rfreedom4u]

I have a herniated disc in my lumbar region. Before I retired from the military I had to pay out of pocket for a chiropractor because the military wouldn’t approve it.
Now I go regularly and love it! I feel so much better after a visit.