New Study Confirms Importance of Chiropractic Care for Pain Relief

Published by Dr. C.J. DeFabio, D.C. | June 28, 2018

Can Chiropractic Help Back Pain? What Research Shows and When It Makes Sense

Can chiropractic care help back pain?

Sometimes, yes but it depends on what’s actually causing your pain. Chiropractic can be very helpful when the issue is related to joint stiffness or movement problems. But if your pain is coming from a disc, nerve irritation, or something more complex, it usually works best as part of a bigger plan that may include physical therapy, Class IV Laser Therapy, or Non-surgical spinal decompression.

If You’re Dealing With Back Pain in Chicago:
This Is The Conversation We Have With Our Patients Every Day

If you’ve been dealing with back pain for a while, you’ve probably already realized something: Everyone you talk to about it has a different opinion on what you “should” do.

Stretch more.
Rest more.
See a chiropractor.
Don’t see a chiropractor.
Strengthen your core.

It gets confusing fast.

At Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness in Chicago, we try to simplify it: The most important question isn’t “Does chiropractic work?” It’s “What’s actually causing your pain?” Because once you know that, the right treatment becomes much clearer.

Why Back Pain Isn’t All the Same

When patients come to us after trying different things and “nothing works”, one of the biggest mistakes we see is treating all back pain like it’s the same problem.

In reality, most cases involve a mix of things like:

• Stiff or irritated joints in the spine
• Disc issues (like bulges or herniations)
• Muscle tension or inflammation
• Poor movement patterns or stability

And here’s the key:  Each of those responds differently to treatment.

That’s why one person swears chiropractic changed their life…

…and someone else says it didn’t help at all.

They weren’t dealing with the same problem.

What Research Actually Says About Chiropractic Care

Instead of focusing on just one study, it’s more helpful to look at the bigger picture.  Here’s what research and clinical guidelines generally show:

Chiropractic vs. Medical Care

Some large studies have found that people receiving chiropractic care for back pain reported:

• Less pain
• Higher satisfaction
• In some cases, less reliance on medication

What that means:

For the right type of back pain, chiropractic can be a really solid starting point.

Chiropractic and Standard Care

Other studies show that when chiropractic is combined with standard care:

• Pain improves more
• Function improves more

What that means:

Chiropractic often works best as part of a multi-faceted approach, not always by itself.

Clinical Guidelines

Many current medical guidelines include spinal manipulation as a recommended conservative option for low back pain.

What that means:

Chiropractic is widely accepted but it’s meant to be used appropriately, not universally.

Here’s the honest conversation we have with patients:

Chiropractic is helpful for some conditions, but it’s not the complete answer for all of them.

If your pain is coming from:

• A disc issue
• Nerve irritation (like sciatica)
• Chronic inflammation
• Or something that hasn’t responded to chiropractic care before

Then adjusting alone usually isn’t enough.

And that’s not a failure, it just means the plan needs to be more specific.

When Chiropractic Tends to Work Really Well

We see the best results with chiropractic when:

• Your back feels stiff, tight, or “locked up”
• Pain changes with movement or position
• Symptoms are more mechanical than nerve-related
• It’s a newer issue or flare-up

In those cases, improving joint motion can take pressure off irritated tissues and help things calm down pretty quickly.

When You Probably Need More Than Just Chiropractic

This is where care has evolved a lot over the last few years.

If you’re dealing with:

• Disc herniation or bulging
• Pain going down your leg
• Long-standing or recurring back pain
• Something that “keeps coming back no matter what you do”

Then we usually need to layer in additional treatments.

What We Actually Do in Our Clinic

At our office on Ravenswood Ave in Andersonville, we don’t look at chiropractic as the solution, we look at it as one tool.  Here’s how we typically combine things:

Chiropractic Care

Used to improve joint motion and reduce mechanical stress on the spine.

Class IV Laser Therapy

Helps calm inflammation and support healing in irritated tissues.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Used when disc pressure or nerve irritation is a bigger part of the problem.

Physical Therapy

This is where long-term results come from, improving strength, stability, and movement so the issue doesn’t keep returning.

Shockwave Therapy

Helpful in certain chronic soft tissue conditions.

“The goal isn’t just to feel better it’s to actually fix what’s causing the problem.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

What It’s Like to Get Evaluated at Our Andersonville Clinic

If you come in to see us, we don’t jump straight into treatment. First, we figure out what’s going on.

That includes:

• Talking through your history
• Looking at how you move
• Identifying what’s driving your pain

From there, we build a plan that actually makes sense for you. We also check progress every couple of weeks, because if something isn’t working, we adjust the plan.

When It’s Time to Get Your Back Checked

You don’t have to wait until things are severe.

But it’s worth getting evaluated if:

• Pain has been lingering more than a week
• It’s getting worse instead of better
• You’re feeling symptoms into your leg
• You’re starting to avoid normal activity

Frequently Asked Questions

Does chiropractic actually work for back pain?

It can, especially for joint-related or movement-based pain. The results depend on what’s causing the problem.

Is chiropractic safe?

When performed by a licensed provider and used appropriately, it’s generally considered safe. The key is proper evaluation.

Can chiropractic help a herniated disc?

It may be part of the plan, but disc issues often respond better when combined with treatments like spinal decompression and physical therapy.

What if chiropractic didn’t work for me before?

That usually means the root cause wasn’t fully addressed. A more complete approach often makes a big difference.

Do I need an MRI first?

Not always. We only recommend imaging when it’s clinically necessary.

How long does it take to get better?

That depends on the condition and how your body responds. We track progress and adjust care as needed.

Final Thoughts

Chiropractic can absolutely help back pain but only when it’s the right fit for the problem.  The biggest shift in healthcare right now isn’t choosing one treatment, It’s choosing the right combination of treatments based on what’s actually going on.  If you’re not sure what your back pain needs, that’s completely normal.

That’s what the evaluation is for.

Ready to Figure It Out?

If you’re dealing with back pain in Chicago, we’re here to help you figure out what’s actually going on and what to do about it.

Schedule an evaluation at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago online or by calling or texting us at 773.878.7330

References

Goertz CM, Long CR, Vining RD, Pohlman KA, Walter J, Coulter I. Effect of Usual Medical Care Plus Chiropractic Care vs Usual Medical Care Alone on Pain and Disability Among US Service Members With Low Back Pain: A Comparative Effectiveness Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2018;1(1):e180105. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.0105

 

Lefebvre R, Peterson D, Haas M. Evidence-Based Practice and Chiropractic Care. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2012 Dec 28;18(1):75-79. doi: 10.1177/2156587212458435. PMID: 23875117; PMCID: PMC3716373.

 

Shekelle PG, Hurwitz EL, Coulter I, Adams AH, Genovese B, Brook RH. The appropriateness of chiropractic spinal manipulation for low back pain: a pilot study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995 Jun;18(5):265-70. PMID: 7673792.