(ChiroWire) A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effectiveness of combined manipulative treatment, stabilizing exercises, and physician consultation compared with physician consultation alone for chronic low back pain. Two hundred four chronic low back pain patients, whose Oswestry disability index was at least 16%, were randomly assigned to either a manipulative-treatment group or a consultation group. All were clinically examined, informed about their back pain, provided with an educational booklet, and were given specific instructions based on the clinical evaluation. The treatment included four sessions of manipulation and stabilizing exercises aiming to correct the lumbopelvic rhythm. Questionnaires inquired about pain intensity, self-rated disability, mental depression, health-related quality of life, health care costs, and production costs. At the baseline, the groups were comparable, except for the percentage of employees ( P= 0.01). At the 5- and 12-month follow-ups, the manipulative-treatment group showed more significant reductions in pain intensity ( P<0.001) and in self-rated disability ( P= 0.002) than the consultation group. However, we detected no significant difference between the groups in health-related quality of life or in costs. The manipulative treatment with stabilizing exercises was more effective in reducing pain intensity and disability than the physician consultation alone. The present study showed that short, specific treatment programs with proper patient information may alter the course of chronic low back pain.

Source: Spine 2003;28:2185-2191

A Randomized Trial of Combined Manipulation, Stabilizing Exercises, and Physician Consultation Compared to Physician Consultation Alone for Chronic Low Back Pain
Leena Niemist ö, MD *; Tiina Lahtinen-Suopanki, PT *; Pekka Rissanen, PhD Ý; Karl-August Lindgren, MD, PhD *; Seppo Sarna, PhD ý; Heikki Hurri, MD, PhD *

(Owatonna, MN) For Immediate Release...The International Academy of Chiropractic Occupational Health Consultants (IACOHC) has a new resource available to Doctors of Chiropractic providing occupational health services to their local employers. The IACOHC is a nonprofit entity established in 1983 with the purpose of advancing the chiropractic profession in the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses. The program is a PowerPoint presentation representing the chiropractic approach to workplace wellness as an effective one. This resource makes it possible for DCs to present to key decision makers in the corporate world, s howing them how the wellness of their workforce directly determines organization, productivity, and quality outcomes of products and services. The program is titled "Impacting Quality by Integrating Dynamnic Dimensional Wellness". Additional information may be acquired by contacting the IACOHC at (507) 455-1025 or by visiting the web site at http://www.iacohc.com

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