BACK To The Stats

Although doctors of chiropractic (DCs) care for more than just back pain,
many patients visit DCs looking for relief from this pervasive condition.

Thirty-one million Americans have low back pain at any given time (1).
One half of all working Americans admit to having back symptoms each year
(2). One third of all Americans over age 18 had a back problem in the past
five years severe enough for them to seek professional help (3). And the
cost of this care is estimated to be a staggering $50 Billion yearly— and
that’s just for the more easily identified costs! (4).

These are just some of the astounding facts about Americans and their
miserable backs! Is there any wonder why some experts estimate that as many
as 80% of all of us will experience a back problem at some time in our lives?
(5).

Because back problems are this common it’s probably going to happen to
you too! Shouldn’t you find out what to do about it before it happens rather
than after? Why wait until you’re hurting to learn about your treatment options?

When you’re hurting you may not give this important decision the time
and attention it needs to make the best choice. Here are the facts about
manipulation as a treatment for back problems:

Manipulation is one of several established forms of treatment used for
back problems. Used primarily by Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) for the last
century, manipulation has been largely ignored by most others in the health
care community until recently. Now, with today’s growing emphasis on treatment
and cost effectiveness, manipulation is receiving much more widespread attention.
In fact, after an extensive study of all currently available care for low
back problems, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research— a federal
government research organization— recommended that low back pain suffers
choose the most conservative care first. And it recommended spinal manipulation
as the ONLY safe and effective, DRUGLESS form of initial professional treatment
for acute low back problems in adults! (6). Chiropractic manipulation, also
frequently called the chiropractic adjustment, is the form of manipulation
that has been most extensively used by Americans for the last one hundred
years. (7). Satisfied chiropractic patients already know that DCs are uniquely
trained and experienced in diagnosing back problems and are the doctors most
skilled in using manipulation for the treatment of back pain and related
disorders (8). As a public service, the American Chiropractic Association
(ACA) urges you to make an informed choice about your back care. To learn
more about the federal government’s recommendations.

References:

1. Jensen M, Brant-Zawadzki M, Obuchowski N, et al. Magnetic Resonance
Imaging of the Lumbar Spine in People Without Back Pain. N Engl J Med 1994;
331: 69-116.

2. Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms,
Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98.

3. Finding from a national study conducted for the American Chiropractic
Association. Risher P. Americans’ Perception of Practitioners and Treatments
for Back Problems. Louis Harris and Associates, Inc. New York: August, 1994.

4. This total represents only the more readily identifiable costs for
medical care, workers compensation payments and time lost from work. It does
not include costs associated with lost personal income due to acquired physical
limitation resulting from a back problem and lost employer productivity due
to employee medical absence. In Project Briefs: Back Pain Patient Outcomes
Assessment Team (BOAT). In MEDTEP Update, Vol. 1 Issue 1, Agency for Health
Care Policy and Research, Rockville, MD, Summer 1994.

5. In Vallfors B, previously cited.

6. Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults.
Clinical Practice Guideline No. 14. AHCPR Publication No. 95-0642. Rockville,
MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, December, 1994.

7. The RAND Corporation reported from its analysis of spinal manipulation
research literature that 94% of all spinal manipulation is performed by chiropractors,
4% by osteopaths, and the remainder by medical doctors.

8. In Risher P, previously cited.