Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and a major driver of healthcare costs in the United States, according to the World Health organization. Over the last 20 years, recommended treatment of low back pain has shifted from use of pain medications including opioids to early use of nonpharmacologic treatments such as spinal manipulation and therapeutic exercise, which are commonly provided by chiropractors and physical therapists. However, while nearly all Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives, most Americans have never tried chiropractic care or physical therapy.

New research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine from Boston Medical Center discovered that the use of chiropractic care or physical rehabilitation, including occupational therapy or physical therapy, increased modestly for adults from 2002 to 2018, with only one third of Americans with low back pain seeking these common non-pharmacological treatments in 2018.

Researchers also found chiropractic care or physical rehabilitation use was less likely among Hispanic versus non-Hispanic adults with low back pain. Black Americans were half as likely to access chiropractic care. Furthermore, use of chiropractic care was low among low-income adults and those with public health insurance.

The authors found that there are gaps in access that are strongly associated with income, insurance status and other factors that could be addressed with policy changes to improve access in Medicaid populations and low-income communities.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com