Comparing neck pain relief options
Recent research reveals that chiropractic care and a series of carefully designed exercises provide better pain relief than pharmacotherapy (prescription drugs) for patients who are suffering from chronic neck pain.
This form of pain is incredibly common, according to the New York Times: three out of every four US adults are estimated to experience the condition at some point in their lives. Although many patients have turned away from drugs in favor of chiropractic care, the body of research comparing spinal adjustment to other methods is thin.
However, a 2012 study conducted at Northwestern Health Sciences University suggests that home exercise with advice (HEA) and spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) are both better at minimizing pain than narcotics, acetaminophen, and other pain pills.
“These changes were diminished over time, but they were still present,” says chiropractor and lead researcher Dr. Gert Bronfort. “Even a year later, there were differences between the spinal manipulation and medication groups.”
Millions of people visit their doctors every year about neck pain, and there are numerous available therapies, often leading to confusion. Dr. Bronfort, PhD, an award-winning researcher based in Minnesota, said that he wanted to assess treatment methods side-by-side, since published research that comparatively evaluates neck pain solutions is sparse.
Medication relatively ineffective
To get a sense of neck pain relief options, Dr. Bronfort studied more than 250 patients, who were divided into three categories and given the assigned treatments for 12 weeks.
One group of patients was getting chiropractic therapy – with 15 total appointments throughout the treatment period. Another group took pain pills such as ibuprofen and muscle relaxants. A third group of patients met with physiotherapists, who taught them simple at-home exercises to be performed, with 5 or 10 reps throughout the day.
At the end of the study, those in the groups that did not take medication were more improved. Pain reduction of 75% or more occurred for the following portions of each group:
· SMT – 57%
· HEA – 48%
· Pharmacotherapy – 33%.
Twelve months following completion of the treatments, chiropractic and exercises showed better long-term results. Pain reduction of 75% or more was seen by more than half of the SMT and HEA patients, with under 40% of the pharmacotherapy group reporting relief.
Dr. Bradford was shocked by the similar results revealed among SMT and HEA populations. Since he is a chiropractor and has directly experienced SMT’s positive impact, he thought that spinal adjustments would prove far more effective.
He and his research team “hadn’t expected that they would be that close,” he said. “But I guess that’s good news for patients.”
The other issue with the pharmacotherapy patients was that they had to keep taking the drugs in order to feel any relief, which typically results in damage to the digestive tract.
Why pick only one?
While spinal manipulation therapy and therapist-assisted exercises are effective for many patients, you can see that substantial portions of both groups did not experience strong results. What’s the solution? Pain management experts have found that complex pain conditions require multidisciplinary care, utilizing numerous approaches.
At Atlanta Medical Clinic, our medical doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists work together to deliver long-term pain relief without the use of drugs or surgery. >>> Patient testimonials