Chiropractic Useless for Back Pain??

“Really?,” I said in response to a patient who told me that another health care professional told her that chiropractic would not help her low back pain and instead she should take pills.  This was the health care professional’s opinion even after my patient had informed this provider that she had already experienced very positive results with chiropractic care reducing her back pain.

It is surprising to me that there are still health care professionals out there who believe in the antiquated idea that pills are better than chiropractic care for back pain-related issues.  The existence of this opinion tells me a few things about the health care professionals who still cling to this belief.

First, it tells me that they are not listening to their patients.  With back pain being the number one reason for people seeking out chiropractic care, and with chiropractic patient satisfaction rates in the 90% plus range, chiropractic patients get results. (1,2,3)The challenge is that human beings naturally tune out information that differs from their belief system.

It also tells me that these health care professionals are not keeping up on the unbiased, peer-reviewed clinical research regarding back pain.  There are plenty of good studies showing the clinical superiority of chiropractic care. (4,5,6)

Clearly, these health care professionals are not talking to chiropractors about what they do and the clinical results they see.  After 16 years of clinical experience, I fully expect to see positive results with back and neck issues.  It is a rare case that doesn’t respond favorably, and it can usually be traced back to lifestyle habits. 

So, if you run into this opinion out there, I encourage you to find a health care professional who listens to their patients and keeps up on current research.  Take the time to be your own health advocate.  You’re worth it!

  1.  New England Journal of Medicine (1996)
  2. The Gallup Organization, Alhstrand (1991)
  3. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Sawyer & Kassak (1993)
  4. Spine, Van Tulder and Bourter et al. (1997)
  5. British Medical Journal, Meade et al. (1995)
  6. The Manga Report (1993)