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The long awaited report on how low back pain should best be treated in the UK was published recently by National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE for those who do not know is an independent group set up by the government to evaluate the available research on a particular condition. Its job is to publish clear guidelines for the best way to treat a particular condition in the UK National Health Service (NHS) hospitals or at Primary Care Trust (PCT) level i.e. Direct referral via you General Practitioner (GP/MD).

This new guide covers non specific back pain. This represents all the mechanical causes of lower back pain a Chiropractor typically sees. It includes pain coming from joints, discs, muscles, tendons and ligaments and according to Richard Nelson, a Chiropractor in Derby ”forms over 99% of the causes of lower back pain that a typical Chiropractor will see in every day practice”.

Specific back pain is where there is a non mechanical cause for your pain such as cancer, infection or fractures. Your chiropractor has under gone extensive medical training to able to distinguish between the two classifications so can decide which patients are suitable for Chiropractic treatment and those that are not. In a typical Chiropractic practice Specific back pain usually forms less than 1% of all cases.

NICE recommendations are:

Any persistent or recurrent low back pain lasting more than 6 weeks and less than 12 months one of following three options should be offered taking in to account the patients (‘your’) preference.

• A course of manual therapy – up to 9 sessions over 12 weeks (manual therapy encompasses manipulation, mobilisation and massage).
• Acupuncture – up to 10 sessions over 12 weeks.
• Group physical exercise programme 8 sessions over 12 weeks.

NICE stated that manipulation can be performed by Chiropractors or Osteopaths. Chiropractors and Osteopaths are experts in manipulative techniques and along with mobilisation and massage they have been the core treatment methods of the two professions in the UK for over 100 years. It’s ironic now that research now ‘proves’ that the hands on approach that the professions have adopted for many years really does ‘work’. So NICE makes it clear that the Chiropractic and Osteopathic professions should be used for the provision of low back pain treatment in the general population under the NHS.

Doctors and Physiotherapists who have undergone specialist post graduate training in manipulation are also included as suitable providers of manipulation treatment. However, generally manipulation is not taught to Doctors or Physiotherapists as part of their standard training in the UK and so the majority of Doctors and Physiotherapists do not perform it.

NICE further recommends that if one chosen treatment does not result in satisfactory improvement another one of the 3 options should be offered to you.

What can you do? Next time you visit your GP you can ask;

As per NICE guidelines for low back pain will you (your GP) refer you for Chiropractic treatment for your low back pain in the NHS? If not, ask them why not? As this is what the NICE guidelines recommend for its treatment.

Richard Nelson comments:

Rome wasn’t built in a day! Don’t expect to be referred straight away. The more of you who ask and the more often you ask the sooner Chiropractic will be available to you and others on the NHS!

Chiropractic is a branch of health care that aids the maintenance of a properly functioning nervous system. It especially focuses on the spine, as it is the structure that which enables our nervous system to carry out its operation. Though that is the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it only focuses only on back ailments. It aims to restore human physical condition at its optimized state.  Chiropractic means “effective” treatment by hand; and that is exactly what it does, to treat and prevent diseases by adjusting improperly working areas of the musculoskeletal system of the body without the use of chemicals or drugs. It’s basically natural, safe, and painless.

Chiropractic’s core treatment entails spinal manipulation, which is the handling of the spine along with soft tissues. Chiropractors are not that different from other regular doctors as they go through processes such as the consultation, physical exams, and laboratory and x-ray analysis, among others. As we’ve noted, the spinal cord is the main point of evaluation. Improving its form or condition will enable patients to feel better as it may remove any abnormalities or negative health conditions. Chiropractors are not limited to diagnosing and addressing problems within the spine. They also assist patients in planning their nutritional needs and exercise, to promote overall physical and mental health. Chiropractors endorse a healthy lifestyle along with the maintenance of the nervous system.

It’s quite a common belief that people don’t need chiropractic care as long as they do not experience extreme neck or back pain. Chiropractic care has a vast array of benefits, much more than the typical notion of many. This also depends on the number of adjustments done. Posture correction is one of the many obvious benefits of chiropractic. Apart from this and pain relief in the head, spine, neck, and the joints, it helps the nervous system function better – this is important as this system controls every action that our body need. An improved nervous system increases mobility, range of motions, muscle movement, gives better balance and coordination, and decreases stiffness, among others. It also provides a superior immune system. Diseases may be fought off easier as one would also be able to heal and recover from injuries faster. The risk of injury also goes lower. It boosts tissue healing and reduces its inflammation. Working adults also will find their stress and tension relieved. This gives off more energy and productivity from them. It’s not only for adults though, even kids can benefit from this practice. Kids will be healthier as it minimizes bed-wetting, asthma, ear infections, etc.

Other common benefits of chiropractic:

• Breathing becomes easier
• Vision becomes clearer and sharper
• Improved circulation
• Allows better relaxation and sleeping
• Athletic performance is enhanced
• Improved digestive system

These are among the many benefits chiropractic has for a patient. It can considerably change one’s life as it improves a patient overall condition. It provides renewed vigor and can change a patient’s lifestyle for the better for the long-term.