In recent years, the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center has surveyed the magazine’s subscribers to look at the experiences of others to find out what works best when it comes to treating back pain. When it comes to making an important decision about the available options, it can be helpful to hear what others have to say. In April and May of 2009, Consumer Reports released some of its findings publicly. A summary appears below.
About the Survey Participants
- More than 14,000 participants had suffered from lower-back pain in the prior year but had never had back surgery.
- More than half reported that pain severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer.
- Many reported that pain interfered with sleep, sex and efforts to maintain a healthy weight.
- 88% reported that the pain recurred through the year.
- Most had tried five or six different treatments.
How Respondents Ranked the Healthcare Providers Who Had Treated Them
| Healthcare Provider | Percent Who Were Highly Satisfied With Treatment and Advice* |
| Chiropractor | 59% |
| Physical Therapist+ | 55% |
| Acupuncturist | 53% |
| Physician, Specialist | 44% |
| Physician, Primary Care | 34% |
*Defined as either Completely Satisfied or Very Satisfied.
+Difference in ranking for Physical Therapist and Acupuncturist were not statistically significant.
How Respondents Ranked Selected Back Pain Therapies
| Therapy | Percentage Who Reported that the Therapy Helped a Lot |
| Chiropractic Manipulation | 58% |
| Prescription Drugs | 45% |
| Over-the-Counter Drugs | 22% |
In July 2011, Consumer Reports published an updated report describing how Americans use alternative approaches to healthcare as well as their experience with various therapies and their providers. Chiropractic care once again was reported to be the most popular approach to back pain relief and was ranked highest in terms of patient satisfaction.
How Chiropractic Can Help Relieve Back Pain
We can help relieve back pain and restore function by using a drug-free, hands-on technique with chiropractic adjustments . We also copmliment this treatment with acupuncture, therapies and specific exercises. By focusing on both immediate pain relief and the underlying causes of your back pain, we can help you achieve a healthier overall lifestyle. If you or someone you care about is suffering from back pain, call us today.
References
Relief for your aching back: What Worked for Our Readers. Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. April-May 2009. Accessed August 2011.
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-and-treatments/back-pain/overview/back-pain.htm
