Spinal Manipulation Recommended in New Low Back Pain Guidelines

The American College of Physicians and American Pain Society have just recently released updated clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of low back pain. In the new guidelines these two organizations have strongly recommended the use of spinal manipulation (the most common form of chiropractic care) for the treatment of both acute, subacute and chronic low back pain. According to the study researchers, "… clinicians should consider the addition of nonpharmacological therapy with proven benefits – for acute low back pain, spinal manipulation; for chronic or subacute low back pain… spinal manipulation…". Spinal manipulation (commonly known as chiropractic adjustments) is a hands-on, drug-free therapy provided by chiropractors. In fact, 94 percent of all spinal manipulation therapy in the United States is conducted by doctors of chiropractic. Research has also shown chiropractic care to be more effective and less costly than traditional medical care in a number of other conditions aside from just lower back pain.