Loading...
Low back pain remains one of the most common presenting complaints in primary care practice. In this NIH-supported study, 444 patients with acute-onset low back pain (duration, <21 days) were randomized to usual care (n=148) or usual care plus a choice of massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic therapy. Of the 296 patients who were randomized to choice, 51% chose massage, 26% chiropractic, 20% acupuncture, and 3% usual care only.
At 12 weeks, patients answered standardized questionnaires. Symptoms and function improved substantially, and to an equivalent degree, in the usual care and choice groups. Choice patients were more satisfied with their care; however, this satisfaction came at an additional cost of $244 per patient.