Chiropractic and osteopathic medicine represent another conservative treatment option for patients with low back pain. The overall philosophy for chiropractic and osteopathic manipulations is that joint dysfunction in the lower (lumbar) spine can produce low back pain. Mobilizing the lumbar spine joints though manipulations (commonly referred to as "adjustments") can decrease low back pain.
Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulations can be especially helpful in relieving pain for facet joint injuries, osteoarthritis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction, as these conditions represent joint dysfunction that responds well to mobilization.
