2017 a great year for Chiropractic

2017 is shaping up as a great year for Chiropractic. In February, the American College of Physicians published a Clinical Practice Guideline recommending spinal manipulation for acute, sub-acute, and chronic LBP. (1) Last month JAMA published a systematic review of 26 randomized clinical trials that highlighted the safety and effectiveness of spinal manipulation for low back pain. (2)

Now, The FDA has published a Blueprint for Healthcare Providers designed to decrease the utilization of dangerous Opioid medication and increase provider’s awareness of safer, effective conservative options for musculoskeletal pain. (3) Among the FDA recommendations:

“A number of nonpharmacologic therapies are available that can play an important role in managing pain, particularly musculoskeletal pain and chronic pain: Specifically including Chiropractic. 

Two prominent medical journals have told the medical community what Chiropractors and their patient have known for many years- Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation is safe and effective and should be the first choice for musculoskeletal pain. Now the FDA is advising all healthcare providers to learn more about these options and incorporate them into care plans.

References
1. Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA, for the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. [Epub ahead of print 14 February 2017] 2. Paige NM, Miake-Lye IM, Booth MS, et al. Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain; Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2017;317(14):1451-1460.
3. FDA Education Blueprint for Health Care Providers Involved in the Management or Support of Patients with Pain. May 2017. Accessed from https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/NewsEvents/UCM557071.pdf on May 12, 2017