Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Jul-Aug;41(6):445-455.
doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2018.02.001. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Characteristics of Chiropractic Patients Being Treated for Chronic Low Back and Neck Pain

Patricia M Herman  1 , Mallika Kommareddi  2 , Melony E Sorbero  3 , Carolyn M Rutter  2 , Ron D Hays  4 , Lara G Hilton  2 , Gery W Ryan  2 , Ian D Coulter  2
Affiliations

Characteristics of Chiropractic Patients Being Treated for Chronic Low Back and Neck Pain

Patricia M Herman et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2018 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) and chronic neck pain (CNP) are the most common types of chronic pain, and chiropractic spinal manipulation is a common nonpharmacologic treatment. This study presents the characteristics of a large United States sample of chiropractic patients with CLBP and CNP.

Methods: Data were collected from chiropractic patients using multistage systematic stratified sampling with 4 sampling levels: regions and states, sites (ie, metropolitan areas), providers and clinics, and patients. The sites and regions were San Diego, California; Tampa, Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Seneca Falls and Upstate New York; Portland, Oregon; and Dallas, Texas. Data were collected from patients through an iPad-based prescreening questionnaire in the clinic and emailed links to full screening and baseline online questionnaires. The goal was 20 providers or clinics and 7 patients with CLBP and 7 with CNP from each clinic.

Results: We had 6342 patients at 125 clinics complete the prescreening questionnaire, 3333 patients start the full screening questionnaire, and 2024 eligible patients completed the baseline questionnaire: 518 with CLBP only, 347 with CNP only, and 1159 with both. In general, most of this sample were highly-educated, non-Hispanic, white females with at least partial insurance coverage for chiropractic care who have been in pain and using chiropractic care for years. Over 90% reported high satisfaction with their care, few used narcotics, and avoiding surgery was the most important reason they chose chiropractic care.

Conclusions: Given the prevalence of CLBP and CNP, the need to find effective nonpharmacologic alternatives for chronic pain, and the satisfaction these patients found with their care, further study of these patients is worthwhile.

Keywords: Chiropractic; Chronic Pain; Low Back Pain; Manipulation, Chiropractic; Manipulation, Spinal; Neck Pain.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

List all potential conflicts of interest for all authors. Include those listed in the ICMJE form. These include financial, institutional and/or other relationships that might lead to bias or a conflict of interest. If there is no conflict of interest state none declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Patient flow into the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Johannes CB, Le TK, Zhou X, Johnston JA, Dworkin RH. The prevalence of chronic pain in United States adults: results of an internet-based survey. J Pain. 2010;11(11):1230–1239. - PubMed
    1. Institute of Medicine. Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2011. - PubMed
    1. Meucci RD, Fassa AG, Faria NMX. Prevalence of chronic low back pain: systematic review. Revista de Saude Publica. 2015;49:1–9. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Freburger JK, Holmes GM, Agans RP, et al. The rising prevalence of chronic low back pain. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(3):251–258. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Webb R, Brammah T, Lunt M, Urwin M, Allison T, Symmons D. Prevalence and predictors of intense, chronic, and disabling neck and back pain in the UK general population. Spine. 2003;28(11):1195–1202. - PubMed

Publication types