The answer is yes. Scientific studies show that patients who are educated about LBP and reassured about their problem tend to get better faster and have less discomfort than control groups. Activity is also beneficial. Patients who exercise get better faster and, if they keep exercising, are less likely to have future episodes. Spinal manipulations, when used during the first month after symptoms appear, can decrease the amount of pain and shorten the episode.
Spinal manipulation is the application of force by hand to selected joints of the spine.
If manipulation does not bring relief within 2-4 weeks, additional manipulation is unlikely to be beneficial. Once the pain has subsided, additional manipulation is unnecessary and has no proven preventive value. For severe symptoms, pain-relief medication may be helpful. The amount of pain relief and the speed of return to activities are similar with narcotics and non-narcotics. However, narcotics have a significantly higher incidence of side effects and complications.