Chiropractics
In the past the treatment of back and neck problems by the adjustment or manipulation of the spine was one of the most popular forms of treatment. In addition, it was demonstrated by chiropractors and osteopaths in the first half of the twentieth century that a short-term benefit could be obtained through this form of treatment. Nevertheless, much research has now shown that spinal manipulation and adjustment provide no long-term benefit. Also, the use of either technique can create a dependency.A recent study by internationally renowned researchers at the University of Washington has shown that one month after completing treatment, patients who had been taught the McKenzie Method improved to the same degree as did patients receiving manipulation by chiropractors. But the patients using the McKenzie Method underwent fewer treatments to achieve the same improvement. Also, 72 percent of the McKenzie patients reported that in the event of recurrence of their back pain, they would be able to manage their own problems. This has great significance for patients with recurring problems.
About 80 percent of patients with common back problems can benefit from being taught the self-manipulation and postural methods outlined in this book. The other 20 percent of the population are the only ones who may require any form of manipulative therapy.
It is important that people who are suffering from back pain understand that spinal manipulation or adjustments should not be given to the whole population with back pain for the purpose of ensuring that it is delivered to the relative few who really need it. This would be like giving surfboards to every citizen of every one of the 50 states so that it was certain that those who might use them—a relative few living mostly on the coasts of California and Hawaii—would receive them. Spinal manipulation certainly should not be used unless self-treatment measures have already been tried and been found to be unsuccessful.
Manipulative physical therapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths all dispense spinal manipulation or adjustment. The techniques used by the three groups are similar. Nevertheless, the theory and rationale for providing these procedures differ completely among the three groups.
Manipulative physical therapists and chiropractors who are members or associates of the McKenzie Institute are well versed in the entire range of mechanical treatments that are in use for back pain today.
Not all chiropractors use the procedures in this book, but several chiropractic colleges in the United States are now teaching the methods through faculty members of the McKenzie Institute. In 1995, the United States federal government’s Agency for Health Care Policy and Research published a list of recommendations to guide health professionals involved in acute back care. Because there was no supportive scientific evidence, the agency could not recommend various forms of heat, shortwave and microwave diathermy, and ultrasound, all of which are commonly used in the treatment of back pain.
You should be aware that these treatments provide no long-term benefit and do nothing to treat the underlying problem; nor is there any scientific evidence that they accelerate healing.
