PainRelief.com Interview with:
Gert Bronfort, DC, PhD
Research Professor
Integrative Health & Wellbeing Research Program
Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455

PainRelief.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: It is now well recognized that low back pain (LBP) is influenced by interrelated physical, psychological, and social factors. However, most commonly used treatments (e.g. medications) focus on addressing pain symptoms while ignoring the underlying unique biopsychosocial needs of individual patients. This makes it more likely that acute, short-lasting pain, will develop into more chronic and disabling pain, placing substantial burden on patients, and society.

This study compared guideline-based medical care, spinal manipulation and supported self-management with and without spinal manipulation to see which did better at reducing pain and disability for acute and sub-acute low back pain.