Effect of Chiropractic on Pain and Disability in Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Single Group Pretest and Post-Test Experimental Study

Background: Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is characterized by low back pain, that is, not associated with any underlying pathology and is accompanied by burning, dull aching, or sharp pain. It is also frequently accompanied by muscle spasms, stiffness, and radiating in the legs. Chiropractic therapy focuses on mechanical problems of the musculoskeletal system, particularly those affecting the spine. This study aims to evaluate the effect of chiropractic on pain and disability in patients with NSLBP. Materials and Methods: In this single group pretest and post-test experimental study, 30 (16 males and 14 females) patients with NSLBP aged 31.23 ± 6.87 years participated. Participants received spinal manipulation in the spinous process of the vertebral segment by using the hypothenar surface or the last phalanx of the second and/or third fingers of the hand for 20 min a day for four consecutive days. Assessments such as the pain disability index (PDI), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and perceived stress scale were performed before and after the intervention. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in PDI (P < 0.001) and ODI scores (P < 0.001) in the post-test assessments compared to pretest assessments in patients with NSLBP. None of the subjects reported any adverse effect either during the study period. Conclusion: Chiropractic was safe and effective in reducing the pain and disability in patients with NSLBP. Due to a lack of a control group in our study, a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size is recommended to validate the results of the study.