Principal Investigator:
Paul G. Shekelle, MD, PhD
Co-investigators:
Neil M. Paige, MD, MSHS
Research Associates:
Isomi M. Miake-Lye, BA;
Jessica M. Beroes, BS;
Marika Suttorp Booth, MS
Roberta Shanman, MS
Download PDF: Complete Report, Executive Summary, Report, Appendices
Back pain and neck pain are among the most common symptoms prompting patients to seek care. Many treatments are used for back pain. Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is a treatment option available in VA. In order to better understand the potential role of SMT in treating acute back or neck pain, VA requested an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence.
Key Question 1: What are the benefits and harms of spinal manipulation/chiropractic services for acute lower back pain (less than 6 weeks duration) compared to usual care or other forms of acute pain management?
Key Question 1A: What is the relationship between the use of spinal manipulation/chiropractic services for lower back pain and the use of opiate medication?
Key Question 2: What are the benefits and harms of spinal manipulation/chiropractic services for acute neck pain (less than 6 weeks duration) compared to usual care or other forms of acute pain management?
Key Question 2A: What is the relationship between the use of spinal manipulation/chiropractic services for acute neck pain and the use of opiate medication?
Systematic Review: Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Acute Neck and Lower Back Pain (Management eBrief)
Paige NM, Miake-Lye IM, Booth MS, et al. Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy with Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain. JAMA. 2017;317(14):1451-1460. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.3086
The Effectiveness and Harms of Spinal Manipulative Therapy for the Treatment of Acute Neck and Lower Back Pain: A Systematic Review (Cyberseminar)
