In a recent study, researchers found that patients who have recurrent or ongoing pain after lumbar spine surgery may seek out a therapy called spinal manipulation, which targets the joints of the spine. The study, published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, found that those providing spinal manipulation for these patients typically use gentle techniques.

Spinal manipulation is a type of manual therapy (i.e., hands-on treatment) directed to the spinal joints, and can involve a variety of techniques. The authors note that while there is plenty of evidence supporting this therapy for treatment of low back pain, there is little evidence for its use in patients with previous low back surgery. The authors were interested in how spinal manipulation was used in these patients.

Following their protocol originally published in BMJ Open, the authors summarized all available published cases describing the use of spinal manipulation in patients with previous low back surgery. They compiled data from 71 different publications, and requested data from several authors around the world.

In total, the authors summarized data from over 100 patients with previous low back surgery receiving spinal manipulation. These patients were on average 50 years or older, and the most common type of surgery was a laminectomy (40% of patients). The authors reported that most cases of spinal manipulation to the lower back did not involve a thrust or impulse, or put another way, were done using a potentially gentler method.

Recovering from surgery, or just suffering from ongoing back pain? The gentle hands-on care from a professional, licensed and experienced chiropractor may be just the ticket to back pain relief.

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