Comparing Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain
Author Information
Author(s): Cambron Jerrilyn A, Gudavalli M Ram, McGregor Marion, Jedlicka James, Keenum Michael, Ghanayem Alexander J, Patwardhan Avinash G, Furner Sylvia E
Primary Institution: National University of Health Sciences
Hypothesis
There are no group differences in the average number of visits to any health care provider after treatment for chronic low back pain.
Conclusion
Participants who received physical therapy attended significantly more health care visits than those who received chiropractic care during the follow-up year.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants in the physical therapy group had significantly more visits to any health care provider.
- Self-care was initiated by nearly every participant in both groups.
- Participants were followed for one year after a four-week treatment period.
Takeaway
People with back pain who did physical therapy went to the doctor more often than those who got chiropractic care.
Methodology
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either chiropractic care or physical therapy and were followed for one year to assess health care visits.
Potential Biases
Participants who withdrew from the study may have sought different care than those who completed it, creating a sampling bias.
Limitations
Missing data and potential bias from only including participants who completed the trial may affect the results.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adults with chronic low back pain, recruited from chiropractic and allopathic clinics.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.04
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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