Patient Information Resources


Spine Institute
Glendale Adventist Medical Center
1500 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Suite 401B
Glendale, CA 91206
Ph: (818) 863-4444






Spine - Cervical
Spine - General
Spine - Lumbar
Spine - Thoracic

View Web RX

« Back

Osteopathic Manipulation for Chronic Low Back Pain?

Posted on: 11/30/1999
Chronic low back pain affects many adults in the United States every year. In fact, it's the second most common cause for a visit to the family doctor. It's the most common reason for treatment by an osteopath.

Osteopaths use spinal manipulation to treat back pain. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality agrees with spinal manipulation in the first month of low back pain. Many studies support the use of manipulation. Research shows the best effect comes with the first treatment.

Every group treating patients with low back pain wants to know if their method is working. This includes doctors, surgeons, osteopaths, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and chiropractors. This study was done by several osteopathic colleges and centers. It looks at the results of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). The three patient groups studied include 1) OMT, 2) sham or pretend OMT, and 3) no treatment.

Osteopaths in this study looked at general health, back pain, patient response, and function. The results show equal results between osteopathic manipulation and sham treatment. Patients who had no treatment didn't do as well.

The authors think the lack of difference between the group receiving osteopathic manipulation and the group getting sham treatment brings up questions about the effects of OMT. They suggest reasons why the results turned out this way. A larger study with doctors who have been osteopaths for a longer time is advised.

References:
John C. Licciardone, DO, et al. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain. In Spine. July 1, 2003. Vol. 28. No. 13. Pp. 1355-1362.

« Back





*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.


All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission.