The effects of chiropractic adjustments compared to stretching in freestyle dancers with lower back pain

M.Tech.Dancing, over the years has become a highly competitive sport with demanding levels of fitness and flexibility needed in order to progress to a professional level (DeMann, 1997). With lower back pain becoming a common occurrence in dancers, both physical as well as emotional stress is placed on the dancer and their lower back (DeMann, 1997). The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Chiropractic adjustments on the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints, stretching certain muscle groups or the combination of the two treatment protocols on Freestyle dancers with chronic lower back pain with regards to pain, disability and lumbar spine and pelvis range of motion. Thirty female participants between the ages of thirteen and twenty five years were recruited to participate in this study. Successful participants were then randomly placed into one of three groups, of ten participants each, which would receive different treatment protocols according to their group allocation. Group 1 underwent Chiropractic adjustments to the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints, Group 2 received stretching exercises to the Quadratus lumborum muscle; gluteal muscles consisting of Gluteus maximus, medius and minimus; Piriformis; Psoas; Hamstring and Multifidus muscles only and Group 3 received a combination of the treatment protocols. Participants in all three groups were assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire for subjective readings; the Digital Inclinometer was used for objective readings of ROM. All treatments were performed at the Riviere Academy of Dance under the supervision of a qualified Chiropractor. The results concluded that the benefits of an adjustment alone, stretching alone as well as the two treatments combined showed a reduction of pain and increase of ROM, when managing a dancer with lower back pain. Not one treatment was shown to be more beneficial than the other