A comparison between chiropractic adjustment and muscle stability exercise programme for chronic low back pain in former ballet and modern dancers

M.Tech.Purpose: This study aims to compare the effects of chiropractic adjustment to the lumbar spine and/or pelvis, and chiropractic adjustment to the lumbar spine and/or pelvis in conjunction with a muscle stability exercise programme in the treatment of chronic low back pain in former ballet and modern dancers with regards to pain, disability and lumbar spine and pelvic range of motion. These effects were based on a questionnaire consisting of a Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and an Oswestry Low Back Pain and Disability Index, and on lumbar spine range of motion (ROM) readings taken using a digital inclinometer. The questionnaire was completed and the ROM readings taken prior to treatment on the first, fourth and seventh visits. Method: Thirty participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to one of two different groups of fifteen participants each. One group received chiropractic adjustments to the lumbar spine and/or sacroiliac joints, with an added muscle stability exercise programme. The second group received chiropractic adjustments to the lumbar spine and/or sacroiliac joints alone. Treatment took place over a period of three weeks, and participants were treated six times out of a total of seven visits. Procedure: Subjective data was collected at the first and fourth consultations prior to treatment, as well as on the seventh consultation by means of a Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) as well as an Oswestry Low Back Pain and Disability Index to assess pain and disability levels. Objective data was collected at the first and fourth consultations prior to treatment, and at the seventh consultation by means of a digital inclinometer for assessing lumbar spine range of motion (ROM). Data collected was analysed by a statistician. Results: Clinically and statistically significant improvements in group 1 and group 2 were noted over the duration of the study with regards to pain and disability, however the lumbar spine range of motion results were inconsistent with regards to the expected outcome of increased range of motion. Conclusion: The results show that both chiropractic adjustment, as well as chiropractic adjustment in conjunction with a muscle stability exercise programme, are effective treatment protocols both clinically and statistically in decreasing pain and disability in former ballet and modern dancers with chronic low back pain, however, neither treatment protocol proved to be preferential over the other. The results also showed a larger decrease in lumbar spine range of motion than the expected increase in lumbar spine range of motion