The Role of Chiropractic Care in Managing Spine Pain: Evidence and Insights

Chiropractic care has gained prominence as a pivotal approach in the management of spine pain, encompassing conditions such as low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP).

With approximately 619 million people in the world grappling with spine pain, often labelled as non-specific, the demand for effective, non-invasive treatments has surged (1).

This articleexplores the clinical effectiveness and efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulation, supported by recent research findings.

Spine Pain: Prevalence and Impact

Spine pain remains a significant public health issue, being the leading cause of activity limitation globally (Gevers-Montoro et al., 2021).

The increasing prevalence of spine pain, particularly among working-age individuals in high-income countries, accentuates the need for effective management strategies.

Chronic spine pain, persisting beyond three months, constitutes a substantial social and economic burden (Gevers-Montoro et al., 2021).

Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation: An Overview

Chiropractic care primarily focuses on manually manipulating the spine to alleviate pain and enhance function. Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), a cornerstone of chiropractic practice, involves the application of controlled thrust forces to specific spinal segments.

Recent insights suggest that chiropractic SMT is not only cost-effective but also increasingly recognised as a mainstream option for spine pain management (Gevers-Montoro et al., 2021).

Effectiveness of Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Neck Pain

Numerous studies underscore the effectiveness of SMT in relieving neck pain. Specifically, SMT has been compared favourably to other recommended therapies, such as standard medical care and physical therapy (Gevers-Montoro et al., 2022).

A systematic review by Coulter et al. (2019) corroborates these findings, highlighting significant pain reductions and improved functional outcomes in patients receiving chiropractic care.

Effectiveness of Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Low Back Pain

Low back pain, a prevalent condition with a high recurrence rate, also benefits significantly from chiropractic care. According to the Lancet series on low back pain, SMT, in combination with exercise, is recommended as a frontline intervention for LBP.

This non-invasive approach aims to mitigate the reliance on opioids, spinal injections, and surgery, all of which have been overutilised historically (El-Tallawy et al., 2021).

Place of Chiropractic Care in Multimodal Treatment Approaches

Clinical practice guidelines increasingly advocate for multimodal treatment approaches for spine pain, incorporating chiropractic SMT alongside exercise and self-management strategies (Gevers-Montoro et al., 2022).

This integrative model aims to provide a holistic solution that addresses both the physical and psychosocial aspects of spine pain.

Conclusion

Chiropractic spinal manipulation represents a viable, non-invasive treatment option for managing spine pain. The accumulating evidence underscores its cost-effectiveness and increasing acceptance within mainstream healthcare.

As the field progresses, further research will be instrumental in validating and refining chiropractic interventions to optimise patient outcomes.

References

1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain

2. Gevers-Montoro, C., Provencher, B., Descarreaux, M., De Mues, A. O., & Piché, M. (2021). Clinical effectiveness and efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulation for spine pain. Frontiers in Pain Research, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2021.765921

3. Coulter, I. D., Crawford, C., Vernon, H., Hurwitz, E. L., Khorsan, R., Booth, M. S., & Herman, P. M. (2019). Manipulation and Mobilization for Treating Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for an Appropriateness Panel. Pain physician, 22(2), E55–E70.

4. El-Tallawy, S. N., Nalamasu, R., Salem, G. I., LeQuang, J. a. K., Pergolizzi, J. V., & Christo, P. J. (2021). Management of Musculoskeletal Pain: An Update with Emphasis on Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Pain and Therapy, 10(1), 181–209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-021-00235-2