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Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain
Low-back pain (often referred to as “lower back pain”) is a common
condition that usually improves with self-care (practices that people
can do by themselves, such as remaining active, applying heat, and
taking pain-relieving medications). However, it is occasionally difficult
to treat. Some health care professionals are trained to use a technique
called spinal manipulation to relieve low-back pain and improve
physical function (the ability to walk and move). This fact sheet
provides basic information about low-back pain, summarizes research
on spinal manipulation for low-back pain, and suggests sources for
additional information.

Key Points
•

Spinal manipulation is one of several options—including exercise,
massage, and physical therapy—that can provide mild-tomoderate relief from low-back pain. Spinal manipulation appears
to work as well as conventional treatments such as applying heat,
using a firm mattress, and taking pain-relieving medications.

•

Spinal manipulation appears to be a generally safe treatment for
low-back pain when performed by a trained and licensed
practitioner. The most common side effects (e.g., discomfort in
the treated area) are minor and go away within 1 to 2 days.
Serious complications are very rare.

•

Cauda equina syndrome (CES), a significant narrowing of the lower
part of the spinal canal in which nerves become pinched and may
cause pain, weakness, loss of feeling in one or both legs, and bowel
or bladder problems, may be an extremely rare complication of
spinal manipulation. However, it is unclear if there is actually an
association between spinal manipulation and CES.

•

Tell all your health care providers about any complementary
health practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do
to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and
safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers
about complementary and alternative medicine see the National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s (NCCAM)
Time to Talk campaign at nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/.

© Matthew Lester

About Low-Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common health complaints, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some
point during their lives. The lower back is the area most often affected. For many people, back
pain goes away on its own after a few days or weeks. But for others, the pain becomes chronic
and lasts for months or years. Low-back pain can be debilitating, and it is a challenging
condition to diagnose, treat, and study. The total annual costs of low-back pain in the United
States—including lost wages and reduced productivity—are more than $100 billion.

About Spinal Manipulation
Spinal manipulation—sometimes called “spinal manipulative therapy”—is practiced by health
care professionals such as chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, naturopathic physicians,
physical therapists, and some medical doctors. Practitioners perform spinal manipulation by
using their hands or a device to apply a controlled force to a joint of the spine. The amount of
force applied depends on the form of manipulation used. The goal of the treatment is to relieve
pain and improve physical functioning.

Side Effects and Risks
Reviews have concluded that spinal manipulation for low-back pain is relatively safe when
performed by a trained and licensed practitioner. The most common side effects are generally
minor and include feeling tired or temporary soreness.
Reports indicate that cauda equina syndrome (CES), a significant narrowing of the lower part
of the spinal canal in which nerves become pinched and may cause pain, weakness, loss of
feeling in one or both legs, and bowel or bladder problems, may be an extremely rare
complication of spinal manipulation. However, it is unclear if there is actually an association
between spinal manipulation and CES, since CES usually occurs without spinal manipulation.
In people whose pain is caused by a herniated disc, manipulation of the low back appears to
have a very low chance of worsening the herniation.
For risks associated with spinal manipulation affecting the upper (cervical) spine, see the NCCAM
fact sheet Chiropractic: An Introduction at nccam.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/introduction.htm.

What the Science Says About Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain
Overall, studies have shown that spinal manipulation is one of several options—including
exercise, massage, and physical therapy—that can provide mild-to-moderate relief from lowback pain. Spinal manipulation also appears to work as well as conventional treatments such
as applying heat, using a firm mattress, and taking pain-relieving medications.
In 2007 guidelines, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society included
spinal manipulation as one of several treatment options for practitioners to consider when lowback pain does not improve with self-care. More recently, a 2010 Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality (AHRQ) report noted that complementary health therapies, including spinal
manipulation, offer additional options to conventional treatments, which often have limited
benefit in managing back and neck pain. The AHRQ analysis also found that spinal manipulation
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was more effective than placebo and as effective as medication in reducing low-back pain
intensity. However, the researchers noted inconsistent results when they compared spinal
manipulation with massage or physical therapy to reduce low-back pain intensity or disability.
Researchers continue to study spinal manipulation for low-back pain.
•

A 2011 review of 26 clinical trials looked at the effectiveness of different treatments,
including spinal manipulation, for chronic low-back pain. The authors concluded that
spinal manipulation is as effective as other interventions for reducing pain and improving
function.

•

A 2010 review that looked at various manual therapies, such as spinal manipulation and
massage, for a range of conditions found strong evidence that spinal manipulation is
effective for chronic low-back pain and moderate evidence of its effectiveness for acute
low-back pain.

•

A 2009 analysis looked at the evidence from 76 trials that studied the effects of several
conventional and complementary health practices for low-back pain. The researchers
found that the pain-relieving effects of many treatments, including spinal manipulation,
were small and were similar in people with acute or chronic pain.

•

A 2008 review that focused on spinal manipulation for chronic low-back pain found strong
evidence that spinal manipulation works as well as a combination of medical care and
exercise instruction, moderate evidence that spinal manipulation combined with
strengthening exercises works as well as prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs combined with exercises, and limited-to-moderate evidence that spinal
manipulation works better than physical therapy and home exercise.

Researchers are investigating whether the effects of spinal manipulation depend on the length
and frequency of treatment. In one study funded by NCCAM that examined long-term effects
in more than 600 people with low-back pain, results suggested that chiropractic care involving
spinal manipulation was at least as effective as conventional medical care for up to 18 months.
However, less than 20 percent of participants in this study were pain free at 18 months,
regardless of the type of treatment used.
Researchers are also exploring how spinal manipulation affects the body. In an NCCAMfunded study of a small group of people with low-back pain, spinal manipulation affected pain
perception in specific ways that other therapies (stationary bicycle and low-back extension
exercises) did not.

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Managing Low-Back Pain
A review of evidence-based clinical guidelines for managing low-back pain resulted in several
recommendations for primary care physicians and pointed to potential benefits of nondrug
therapies including spinal manipulation, as well as exercise, massage, and physical therapy:

•

Acute low-back pain: Routine imaging (x-rays or MRIs) generally is not necessary for
patients who have had nonspecific low-back pain for a short time. These patients often
improve on their own and usually should remain active, learn about back pain and selfcare options, and consider nondrug therapies, including spinal manipulation, if pain
persists longer than 4 weeks.

•

Chronic low-back pain: Long-term use of opioid drugs usually does not improve
functioning for patients with chronic low-back pain. However, these patients may benefit
from nondrug therapies, including spinal manipulation. Psychological and social factors
also may play a role in chronic low-back pain. Most patients will not become pain free; a
realistic outlook focuses on improving function in addition to reducing pain.

To learn more, see the NCCAM Research Spotlight at
nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/040209.htm.

NCCAM-Funded Research
Recent NCCAM-supported projects have been investigating:
•
•
•

The biomechanisms of spinal manipulation—detailed studies of what happens in the body
during manipulation of the low back
The best number and frequency of treatments, and the length of care
Estimated use, costs, and outcomes of chiropractic care for recurrent back pain.

Selected References
Bialosky JE, Bishop MD, Robinson ME, et al. Spinal manipulative therapy has an immediate effect on thermal pain
sensitivity in people with low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy. 2009;89(12):1292-1303.
Bronfort G, Haas M, Evans R, et al. Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report. Chiropractic & Osteopathy.
2010;18(3):1-33.
Bronfort G, Haas M, Evans R, et al. Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with spinal manipulation
and mobilization. Spine Journal. 2008;8(1):213-225.
Bronfort G, Haas M, Evans RL, et al. Efficacy of spinal manipulation and mobilization for low back pain and neck pain: a
systematic review and best evidence synthesis. Spine Journal. 2004;4(3):335-356.
Cagnie B, Vinck E, Beernaert A, et al. How common are side effects of spinal manipulation and can these side effects be
predicted? Manual Therapy. 2004;9(3):151-156.
Cherkin DC, Sherman KJ, Deyo RA, et al. A review of the evidence for the effectiveness, safety, and cost of acupuncture,
massage therapy, and spinal manipulation for back pain. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2003;138(11):898-906.

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Chou R, Huffman LH. Nonpharmacologic therapies for acute and chronic low-back pain: a review of the evidence for
an American Pain Society/American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline. Annals of Internal Medicine.
2007;147(7):492-504.
Chou R, Qaseem A, Snow V, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of low-back pain: a joint clinical practice guideline from the
American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2007;147(7):478-491.
Dagenais S, Tricco AC, Haldeman S. Synthesis of recommendations for the assessment and management of low back
pain from recent clinical practice guidelines. Spine Journal. 2010;10(6):514-529.
Elder WG Jr, King M, Dassow P, et al. Managing lower back pain: you may be doing too much. Journal of Family Practice.
2009;58(4):180-186.
Ferreira ML, Ferreira PH, Latimer J, et al. Comparison of general exercise, motor control exercise and spinal
manipulative therapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized trial. Pain. 2007;131(1-2):31-37.
Ferreira ML, Ferreira PH, Latimer J, et al. Efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy for low back pain of less than 3
months’ duration. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2003;26(9):593-601.
Furlan A, Yazdi F, Tsertsvadze A, et al. Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Back Pain II. Evidence
Report/Technology Assessment, no. 194. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2010. AHRQ
publication no. 10(11)-E007.
Hoiriis KT, Pfleger B, McDuffie FC, et al. A randomized clinical trial comparing chiropractic adjustments to muscle
relaxants for subacute low back pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2004;27(6):388-398.
Hurwitz EL, Morgenstern H, Kominski GF, et al. A randomized trial of chiropractic and medical care for patients with
low back pain: eighteen-month follow-up outcomes from the UCLA low back pain study. Spine. 2006;31(6):611-621.
Kinkade S. Evaluation and treatment of acute low back pain. American Family Physician. 2007;75(8):1181-1188.
Machado LAC, Kamper SJ, Herbert RD, et al. Analgesic effects of treatments for non-specific low back pain: a metaanalysis of placebo-controlled randomized trials. Rheumatology. 2009;48(5):520-527.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders. Handout on Health: Back Pain. National Institute
of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders Web site. Accessed at http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/
back_pain/default.asp on April 11, 2012.
Oliphant D. Safety of spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disk herniations: a systematic review and risk
assessment. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2004;27(3):197-210.
Rubinstein SM, van Middelkoop M, Assendelft WJ, et al. Spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low-back pain.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011;(2):CD008112. Accessed at http://www.thecochranelibrary.com on
April 11, 2012.
Santaguida PL, Gross A, Busse J, et al. Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Back Pain Utilization Report. Evidence
Report/Technology Assessment no. 177. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2009. AHRQ
publication no. 09-E006.
van Tulder MW, Koes B, Malmivaara A. Outcome of non-invasive treatment modalities on back pain: an evidencebased review. European Spine Journal. 2006;15(suppl 1):S64-S81.

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For More Information
NCCAM Clearinghouse
The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on NCCAM and complementary health
practices, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical
literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations,
or referrals to practitioners.
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1–888–644–6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1–866–464–3615
Web site: nccam.nih.gov
E-mail: [email protected]

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
NIAMS supports research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and
musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of scientists; and the sharing of research-based
information.
Web site: www.niams.nih.gov/
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-877-22-NIAMS

PubMed®
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most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals.
Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Clinical Research Trials and You
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has created a Web site, NIH Clinical Research Trials and
You, to help people learn about clinical trials, why they matter, and how to participate. The
site includes questions and answers about clinical trials, guidance on how to find clinical trials
through ClinicalTrials.gov and other resources, and stories about the personal experiences of
clinical trial participants. Clinical trials are necessary to find better ways to prevent, diagnose,
and treat diseases.
Web site: www.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials/

Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures & Results (RePORTER)
RePORTER is a database of information on federally funded scientific and medical research
projects being conducted at research institutions.
Web site: projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm

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Acknowledgments
NCCAM thanks the following people for their technical expertise and review of this
publication: Gert Bronfort, D.C., Ph.D., Northwestern Health Sciences University; Richard A.
Deyo, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon Health and Science University; James S. Panagis, M.D., M.P.H.,
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; Partap Khalsa, D.C.,
Ph.D., and John (Jack) Killen, Jr., M.D., NCCAM.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain.
Duplication is encouraged.
NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the
medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to
discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of
any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.
National Institutes of Health
♦♦♦
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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D409
Created April 2008
Updated April 2012