Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Oct 2005
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyCost-effectiveness of medical and chiropractic care for acute and chronic low back pain.
To identify relative provider costs, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction for the treatment of low back pain (LBP). ⋯ Chiropractic care appeared relatively cost-effective for the treatment of chronic LBP. Chiropractic and medical care performed comparably for acute patients. Practice-based clinical outcomes were consistent with systematic reviews of spinal manipulation efficacy: manipulation-based therapy is at least as good as and, in some cases, better than other therapeusis. This evidence can guide physicians, payers, and policy makers in evaluating chiropractic as a treatment option for low back pain.