Chiropractic treatment of low back pain

Abstract

Lower back pain is one of the most common public health problems worldwide, with far-reaching social, psychological, and financial consequences for those affected. It can result in impairment of quality of life and lasting damage. This article deals with the following question: Is chiropractic treatment of lower back pain a clinically relevant, effective treatment method compared to other therapies, and does it therefore represent a standard treatment? The literature research was conducted in the PubMed database. The evidence level of the individual studies was determined based on the PEDro scale. After determining the evidence levels of the individual studies, the studies rated level I were evaluated using tables according to the PICO model in comparison to other treatment methods. Investigated endpoints were back pain and the resulting restriction of movement. Of 1046 researched articles, there were 169 on the topic, including 54 systematic reviews and 115 randomized clinical trials (RCTs); 13 RCTs were suitable for a direct treatment comparison for the review. In the direct comparison with McKenzie therapy, better results were achieved for McKenzie. Otherwise, there were slightly better results for the intervention groups. Just like McKenzie therapy, the chiropractic treatments achieved best results in improvement of lower back pain and the resulting movement restrictions. The differences in results between the intervention and control groups were small. The studies investigated exhibited methodological weaknesses. The results show that chiropractic treatment of low back pain is not a clinically relevant, effective treatment and is therefore not a standard therapy based on the studies evaluated.