Chiropractic effective for neck pain

In a study at the VA Western New York Healthcare System, 36 of 54 Veterans with neck pain were helped significantly by chiropractic treatments. The Veterans received about nine treatments, on average, and also received individualized recommendations for exercises at home. The authors said the results were both "statistically significant and clinically meaningful." While chiropractic care is now offered throughout VA, the study was the most comprehensive VA assessment to date of its benefits for patients with neck pain. The Buffalo-based VA researchers are also conducting a study on the effects of chiropractic care on back pain, and they expect to publish results in 2012. (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, October 2011)