This is an interesting article that appeared in a recent edition of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. What the authors wanted to know was,..."what were the chances of repeated disability for low back pain patients seeking care from different health care providers?" A simple enough question it seems, so researchers sought out to compare the effects comparing three different health care options; physicians (MD), physical therapists (PT) and chiropractors (DC).
The researchers looked at 894 patients who had suffered a work place injury and then followed their progress over the following year. The participants of the study were divided between the three different treatment providers. The year following tracked progress from their first episode of disability through their subsequent return to work.(This period was referred by researchers as the 'health maintenance care period')
To analyze the data the researchers collected, they had to account for the workers demographics and severity of pain. Once this was done, they could get a clearer pictures of the difference the three therapies actually made to the patients. What they found was very surprising!
This study found that the likelihood of recurrent disability due to low back pain was consistently higher for patients receiving care from a physician or a physical therapist compared to a chiropractor. In fact the difference was huge! According to the data, patients were 60% more likely to suffer recurring disability if they were treated by a physician compared to a chiropractor. What's even more astonishing was patients were TWICE as likely to suffer recurring disability if they were treated by a physical therapist compared to a chiropractor!
The main conclusion of the study was; 'In work-related nonspecific low back pain (LBP), the use of health maintenance care provided by physical therapist or physician services was associated with a higher disability recurrence than in chiropractic services or no treatment.' This is something that I have also personally noticed in practice. I have seen patients who were suffering from joint dysfunction and muscle imbalances who sought my care after being disappointed with physical therapy/physiotherapy. These patients often reported that the physical therapist had them performing exercises that they were clearly not ready for. Only leading to frustration for the patient and even in rare cases, re-injury!
This study shows that work related cases of low back pain should be treated by chiropractors. The size of this study was good. With nearly 900 participants in the study, I think the results are pretty clear and hard to refute.
In the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver? visit Dr. Chan's office or visit the website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!
References:JOEM or online: Cifuentes M, Willetts J, Wasiak R. Health maintenance care in work-related low back pain and its association with disability recurrence. JOEM, April 2011;53(4):396-404.
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