Spinal Manipulation and Exercise Show Promise in Treating Chronic Low Back Pain in Adolescents, Study Finds

Introduction: A recent randomized trial has shed light on the effectiveness of non-pharmacologic interventions for adolescents suffering from chronic low back pain (LBP). The study compared a combination of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and exercise therapy (ET) to exercise therapy alone and found that the former resulted in a larger reduction in LBP severity over a one-year period. These findings offer valuable insights for healthcare providers and underscore the need for further research in this area.

Study Details: The study involved 185 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years with chronic LBP. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either SMT combined with ET or ET alone for a duration of 12 weeks. The primary outcome measured was LBP severity at 12, 26, and 52 weeks, while secondary outcomes included disability, quality of life, medication use, patient and caregiver-rated improvement, and satisfaction.

Key Findings: The addition of SMT to ET led to a significant reduction in LBP severity over the course of one year. While the group difference in LBP severity was small at the end of treatment, it became more pronounced at weeks 26 and 52. At 26 weeks, the SMT with ET group also showed better outcomes in terms of disability and improvement. Furthermore, participants in this group reported higher satisfaction with their care throughout the study. No serious treatment-related adverse events were observed.

Clinical Implications: The results of this study highlight the potential benefits of combining SMT with exercise therapy for adolescents with chronic LBP. The findings suggest that this treatment approach may provide long-term relief and improvements in pain severity, disability, and patient satisfaction. Healthcare providers, including chiropractors, physical therapists, and osteopaths, may consider incorporating these interventions into their practice or referring patients to specialists who offer these treatments.

Future Research: While this study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to replicate the findings and assess the cost-effectiveness of these interventions. Future studies should also compare SMT and ET with other commonly used medical treatments for LBP in adolescents and explore the specific effects of these interventions compared to placebo effects.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the combination of spinal manipulation and exercise therapy appears to be a promising treatment approach for adolescents with chronic low back pain. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of non-pharmacologic interventions in managing LBP in this population and call for additional research to validate the results and inform clinical practice.