Can a chiropractor help with lower back pain?

A study published in 2020 detailed the treatment of active duty military personnel with low back pain by chiropractors. 86% of participants reported chronic low back pain before the study. They were assigned randomly to a wait-list control group or four weeks of chiropractic care. At the end of the four weeks, those in the chiropractic care group experienced a reduction in low back pain intensity and disability. Plus, they saw an increase in strength and endurance.

Is chiropractic an effective treatment for sciatica?

A randomized double-blind clinical trial sought to find out if chiropractic spinal manipulations actually help sciatica. 102 people with sciatica pain received either actual manipulations or simulated manipulations. At the end of the trial, the researchers found that the actual chiropractic manipulations were better for providing pain relief to sciatica sufferers. They also had no serious adverse events, which adds to the evidence that chiropractic care is safe. 

Can a chiropractor help a pinched nerve?

A 2008 study of 162 patients with a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine found chiropractic care to be largely effective. After an average of 9 treatment sessions, 85% of the patients in the study experienced relief of their primary symptoms. 

Can a chiropractor help a bulging disc?

A randomized, double-blind clinical trial (called the “Gold Standard” of study protocols) published in The Spine Journal detailed a study of 102 patients with back pain and sciatica due to a herniated disc. The participants were split into two groups, one which underwent simulated chiropractic manipulations and one which underwent actual chiropractic manipulations for a bulging disc. At the end of the study, the authors found that active manipulations worked better for relieving pain due to disc protrusion than simulated manipulations. 

Is chiropractic an effective treatment for whiplash?

One retrospective study of 28 individuals with chronic whiplash injuries found promising results. All 28 patients were treated with chiropractic care. 26 of those patients improved following chiropractic care. That’s 93% improvement, which even from a small study such as this one, is promising.