The AAO Journal, 2000/12, 10(4):22-30, type of study: ,css,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Free full text   (https://www.academyofosteopathy.org/aaoj)

Keywords:

cross sectional study [894]
economics [58]
low back pain [524]
OMT [3925]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3946]
recovery time [1]
treatment cost [1]

Abstract:

Low back pain, one of the most common reasons for a person to present to a physician's office, is a major problem as a cause of absenteeism in the industrialized world. It is estimated that 31 million Americans have low back pain with an estimated annual cost of $17 billion. With the exception of malignancies, infection and fractures acquired, low back pain is of two general types. Mechanical low back pain comprising the strains, sprains, muscle spasms, and contusions constitutes the first and most common type. Second is the neurological back pain which includes those conditions where a nerve is trapped or compressed and needs surgical release. Examples of neurological back pain are ruptured disks and spinal stenosis. This project involved treating a random group of low back patients who presented to a family physician's office with the usual type of treatment but to also include osteopathic manipulation as part of the treatment and later to survey these patients with a small questionnaire. It was found that osteopathic manipulation was a cost-effective treatment for low back pain and it reduced both the costs of treatment and time off work.