Time to re-write the guidelines on spinal manipulation for low back pain
Some national and international guidelines advise physicians to use spinal manipulation for patients suffering from acute (and chronic) low back pain. Many experts have been concerned about the...
View ArticleTai Chi is based on strange concepts – but is it helpful?
Tai Chi, as we know it in the West, is said to promote the smooth flow of “energy” throughout the body by performing postures, slow meditative movements and controlled breathing. Tai Chi is also...
View ArticleMore on the risks of spinal manipulation
On this blog, we have repeatedly discussed the serious adverse effects of Spinal Manipulative Therapies (SMT) as frequently administered by chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists. These events...
View ArticleShould NICE recommend placebos?
In 2010, NICE recommended acupuncture for chronic low back pain (cLBP). Acupuncturists were of course delighted; the British Acupuncture Council, for instance, stated that they fully support NICE’s...
View ArticleDoes every bizarre concept require a clinical trial?
Researchers from the ‘Complementary and Integrative Medicine Research, Primary Medical Care, University of Southampton’ conducted a study of Professional Kinesiology Practice (PKP) What? Yes, PKP! This...
View ArticleMassage for back pain? Why is there still no certainty?
Researchers from the ‘International Centre for Allied Health Evidence’, University of South Australia in Adelaide wanted to determine whether massage therapy is an effective intervention for back pain....
View ArticleChiropractic for back pain? Perhaps we should think again
Some experts concede that chiropractic spinal manipulation is effective for chronic low back pain (cLBP). But what is the right dose? There have been no full-scale trials of the optimal number of...
View ArticleSpinal manipulation for back pain: who does it best – chiros, physios or osteos?
If we ask how effective spinal manipulation is as a treatment of back pain, we get all sorts of answers. Therapists who earn their money with it – mostly chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists...
View ArticleChiropractors’ use of X-rays
Chiropractors are notorious for their overuse and misuse of x-rays for non-specific back and neck pain as well as other conditions. A recent study from the US has shown that the rate of spine...
View ArticleWhich therapy is best for low back pain?
A meta-analysis compared the effectiveness of spinal manipulation therapies (SMT), medical management, physical therapies, and exercise for acute and chronic low back pain. Studies were chosen based on...
View ArticleThe risks of manual therapies like chiropractic seem to out-weigh the benefits
The safety of the manual treatments such as spinal manipulation is a frequent subject on this blog. Few experts would disagree with the argument that more good data are needed – and what could be...
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QUESTION: how do chiropractors earn their daily bread? ANSWER: all too often...
There is much debate about the usefulness of chiropractic. Specifically, many people doubt that their chiropractic spinal manipulations generate more good than harm, particularly for conditions which...
View ArticleIs chiropractic treatment for chronic low back pain cost-effective?
Many proponents of chiropractic claim that chiropractic spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) for chronic low back pain (LBP) might save health care cost. As LBP is a hugely expensive condition, this is a...
View ArticleSpinal manipulation for herniated discs? Chiropractors should start doing...
There is some (albeit not compelling) evidence to suggest that chiropractic spinal manipulation might be effective for treating non-specific back pain. But what about specific back pain, such as the...
View ArticlePilates for chronic back pain? Yes, maybe
What is the best treatment for the millions of people who suffer from chronic low back pain (CLBP)? If we are honest, no therapy has yet been proven to be overwhelmingly effective. Whenever something...
View ArticleHome-hypnotherapy for chronic low back pain – at least it is inexpensive and...
We all know, I think, that chronic low back pain (CLBP) is common and causes significant suffering in individuals as well as cost to society. Many treatments are on offer but, as we have seen...
View ArticleSeven things to remember when you next consult a chiropractor
In many countries, consumers seem to be fond of consulting chiropractors – mostly for back pain, but also for other conditions. I therefore think it is might be a good and productive idea to give...
View ArticleAlexander technique: some evidence and plenty of wishful thinking
The Alexander Technique is a method aimed at re-educating people to do everyday tasks with less muscular and mental tension. According to the ‘Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique’, this method...
View ArticleChronic low back pain: exercise is better than chiropractic
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a that condition which affects so many people that it represents a huge burden to individual patients’ suffering as well as to society in terms of loss of work time and...
View ArticleOsteopathy = confused and confusing
According to the ‘General Osteopathic Council’ (GOC), osteopathy is a primary care profession, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders, and the...
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