Ankara Medical Journal (Jun 2021)

Evaluation of the effectiveness of chiropractic manual treatment in patients with chronic low back pain

  • Fatma Gülçin Ural,
  • Gökhan Tuna Öztürk,
  • Dilek Dizdar,
  • İlkay Karabay,
  • Hüseyin Nazlıkul

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5505/amj.2021.34545
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 2
pp. 250 – 260

Abstract

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INTRODUCTION: Low back pain that is localized between the inferior costal margin and inferior gluteal folds and that can reflect legs is a common health problem and a leading cause of disability. Chiropractic is a non-invasive and inexpensive treatment method used for low back pain. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of chiropractic and isometric exercises on pain and functionality related to low back pain. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with low back pain in the policlinic examination were taken in the study. Sixty patients consisting of 30 females and 30 males were randomly divided into two groups. Chiropractic application and lumbar isometric exercise were created for the first group, and a lumbar isometric exercise program was created for the second group. The exercise program was applied to both groups five days a week for four weeks by a physiotherapist. Chiropractic treatment was applied by the same doctor two days a week for four weeks. During the application, a high-speed, low amplitude manipulation technique was used in chiropractic. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to score pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to evaluate functionality before and after treatment. The range of motion was evaluated by goniometer measurement. RESULTS: VAS and ODI scores decreased statistically significantly with treatment in both groups, while the range of motion in the lumbar spine increased significantly before and after treatment. VAS rest, VAS motion, and ODI scores were statistically significantly lower, and the increase in range of motion was higher in patients who received exercise and chiropractic compared to patients who only received exercise. Any adverse effect did not appear in both groups during the treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We think that chiropractic and exercise are effective on pain and functionality in low back pain, and they are more effective when applied together.

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