The effect of spinal manipulative therapy in conjunction with subcutaneous parenteral Traumeel® in the treatment of chronic mechanical low back pain

M.Tech.Purpose: This study aims to compare the effects of lumbar spine and/or pelvic manipulation, and lumbar spine and/or pelvic manipulation in conjunction with the application of subcutaneous parenteral Traumeel® in the treatment of chronic mechanical low back pain with regards to pain, disability and lumbar spine range of motion. These effects were evaluated using a questionnaire consisting of a Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and an Oswestry Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire, and by measuring lumbar spine range of motion using a digital inclinometer. The questionnaire was completed and the range of motion readings were taken prior to treatment on the first, fourth and seventh consultations. Method: Thirty participants who met the inclusion criteria were stratified in number and gender between two groups of equal size (15 participants each). Group one received spinal manipulation to restricted lumbar spine and/or sacroiliac joints followed by the administration of subcutaneous parenteral Traumeel®. The second group received spinal manipulation to restricted lumbar spine and/or sacroiliac joints. Participants were treated six times out of a total of seven sessions, over a maximum three week period. Procedure: Subjective data was collected at the beginning of the first and fourth consultations, as well as on the seventh consultation by means of a Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and an Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire in order to assess pain and disability levels. Objective data was collected at the beginning of the first and fourth session, as well as on the seventh consultation by means of a digital inclinometer in order to assess lumbar spine range of motion. Analysis of collected data was performed by a statistician. Results: Clinically significant improvements in group 1 and group 2 were noted over the duration of the study with reference to pain, disability, and lumbar spine range of motion. Statistically significant changes were noted in group 1 and group 2 with reference to pain and disability, and in group 1 with reference to lumbar spine range of motion. vi Conclusion: The results show that both spinal manipulation, as well as spinal manipulation in conjunction with subcutaneous parenteral Traumeel® are effective treatment protocols (as demonstrated clinically, and to a lesser extent, statistically) in decreasing pain and disability, and increasing lumbar spine range of motion in patients with mechanical low back pain. However, neither treatment protocol proved to be preferential. The results carry a possible suggestion that chiropractic manipulation (common to both groups) is effective in ameliorating participant-rated pain and disability, and increasing lumbar spine range of motion in the case of chronic mechanical low back pain