Back in Motion: Seniors Find Relief with Spinal Manipulative Therapy
Sep 11, 2023 -- Posted by :While low back pain can impact individuals of all ages, it poses particular challenges for older adults, ranking among the top three reasons they seek medical attention. Despite this prevalence, older adults often endure low back pain for extended periods, especially in the presence of multiple comorbidities that often accompany advancing age. In such cases, low back pain might be inadequately treated or mismanaged. While clinical guidelines emphasize conservative approaches as the first line of defense against low back pain, it's notable that older patients are frequently underrepresented in the studies informing these recommendations.
In this context, let's delve into the latest research concerning the use of spinal manipulative therapy—commonly provided by chiropractors—for managing low back pain in older adults. A study conducted in 2022 combed through electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials conducted in the past two decades. These trials specifically examined the effects of spinal manipulative therapy in older adults grappling with chronic low back pain. The research encompassed ten studies, involving a total of 786 individuals aged 55 and above, with 261 falling within the 65 to 91 age bracket. The study encompassed various spinal manipulation techniques, including high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) and mobilization or low-velocity low-amplitude (LVLA) techniques. The researchers scrutinized how these manual therapies stacked up against other interventions, such as standard medical care and exercise therapy, in terms of short-term, medium-term, and long-term pain relief and functional improvement.
In their comprehensive evaluation, the authors concluded that there exists moderate-quality evidence supporting the use of spinal manipulative therapy. It yielded similar outcomes in terms of pain relief and functional improvement compared to standard medical care and exercise therapy. Therefore, it should be considered as a non-pharmacological treatment option for this patient demographic. This is a crucial finding, particularly given that a substantial proportion of older adults are already taking multiple prescription medications to manage their existing health conditions, with some even relying on five or more drugs. Introducing additional prescriptions to address low back pain can heighten the risk of adverse events and potentially dangerous drug interactions.
Additionally, the researchers noted that while their analysis couldn't establish a safety profile due to the heterogeneity of data on adverse events across the studies, spinal manipulation appears to be a safe option for older patients. Their findings align with other systematic reviews highlighting the effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy across age groups.
This analysis underscores the role of spinal manipulative therapy in addressing low back pain in older patients. If you're living with chronic low back pain, it's essential not to delay seeking help or assume that it's an inevitable part of aging. Schedule an appointment with your local chiropractor to explore whether a course of conservative chiropractic care can alleviate your pain and enhance your mobility.
So, if you are experiencing back pain, lower back pain, or pain in the coccyx and type in pain management near me or chiropractor near me, you may find Coast Chiropractic Centers with Dr. Timothy Harcourt, me, comes up.
You may wonder, “Do I need an MRI scan of my back and who in my area can refer me?”
Also, if you feel leg pain it may indicate things are getting worse and may indicate a bulge on the disc or worse yet a herniated disc in your back. Some people will try stretching the lower back first to see if they get relief from their back pain. Pain very low in the lower back may be originating from the coccyx or tailbone. A pulled muscle in the back generally will get better with rest. Persistent or worsening pain intensity and/or frequency necessitates a visit to see a professional around you.
Check out what the experts say about chiropractic care for back pain here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32749874/
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So if you find yourself experiencing lower back pain while running or doing physical activities or if you are suffering from back pain that is affecting your quality of life and allowing you to enjoy Fort Myers Beach. Come see us at Coast Chiropractic Centers located on 7270 College Parkway.
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