Alternative Health Blog

No surprise here at the Alternative Health Blog, just happy recognition about a new survey released by Consumer Reports. It confirms that alternative therapies for back pain are both effective and preferred compared to treatment from primary care physicians.

The survey showed that 58 percent of back pain patients considered chiropractic and spinal manipulation as “helping a lot,” while massage (48 percent) and physical therapy (46 percent) gained similar positive ratings. What’s more, 59 percent of chiropractic practitioners earned “highly satisfied” marks from patients in contrast to 34 percent of MDs. There’s significant pain and loss of quality of life in that 25-percent gap. Fifty-five percent of physical therapists rated in the “highly satisfied” category, while acupuncturists scored 53 percent.

Interestingly, back specialist MDs ranked 10 points higher than their primary-care colleagues, but still well below the alternative practitioners.

To repeat, no surprise.

Consumers Reports conducted a year-long project, surveying more than 14,000 subscribers who had lower-back pain in last 12 months but have never submitted to back surgery. The readers were asked to rate a list of 23 possible treatment, plus the always important satisfaction level with practitioners. Most respondents had tried five to six different treatments, on average.

The readers also confirmed the unfortunate fact that Americans endure overwhelming back pain. Nine of every 10 respondents said their back pain recurred throughout the year, while more than half reported the pain limits daily sleep, work and sex for periods of a week or longer. Half said the back pain interfered with efforts to lose pounds and/or maintain a healthy weight.

There is knowledge in this group, but perhaps not the motivation. Forty-four percent of the respondents said they found exercise was helpful, ranking it first as a self-help therapy. And six of every 10 respondents said they wished they had done more exercises during the year to strengthen muscles and keep the back active.

For more information and even a free diagnostic tool for back pain, visit www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org. You can also check out the May 2009 issue of Consumer Reports for details.

Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.