Researchers conducted 47 randomized controlled trials involving 9,211 adults.
Six insights:
1. They found spinal manipulation alleviated lower back pain as effectively as exercise, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers.
2. Spinal manipulation appeared to be more effective at improving short-term function than exercise, NSAIDs and painkillers.
3. Spinal manipulation was a better option for pain relief than non-recommended interventions, such as light tissue massage, and sham manipulation treatments.
4. The trials didn’t yield sufficient evidence to conclude whether spinal manipulation is safer than other modalities.
5. The most common side effects associated with spinal manipulation — joint and muscle pain or stiffness — typically go away within a matter of days.
6. Spinal manipulation may decrease pain caused by muscle strain, spasms and inflammation, study authors concluded.
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