Patients with chronic low back pain that received 12 treatments of spinal adjustments in the first month followed by “maintenance” adjustments every two weeks for nine months experienced greater improvements compared to patients not receiving “maintenance” adjustments. 

The study found both groups improved in their pain intensity and disability levels after one month of treatment.  However, after nine months, only the patients receiving maintenance adjustments observed another 50 percent improvement in their pain.  In the group of patients that did not continue with maintenance adjustments, the study showed their pain intensity and disability levels returned to the same level as before treatment. 

Previous studies have confirmed the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments for chronic low back pain, pain that has been present for at least six months.  This study now supports the notion that “maintenance” adjustments are effective and important to maintain and even provide further improvement in chronic low back pain beyond the initial first month of chiropractic treatment.

Source:
Senna MK, Mutely SA.  Spine 2011 Aug 15;36(18):1427-37.