Survey Says Chiropractic Outperforms Other Back Pain Treatments - Even Medication

        SURVEY SAYS!!!!  If you have back pain... you are probably old enough to remember Richard Dawson first yelling that phrase on the popular 70s and 80s game show, The Family Feud. If not - it doesn't matter - you just learned something interesting about American pop culture and game show history.

So, What Does The Survey Really Say?

        According to an August 9, 2011 article on chiroeco.com, "In a new survey, chiropractic outperformed all other back pain treatments including prescription and over-the-counter medications, deep-tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), this news reinforces the use of conservative care options as a first line of defense against pain.

        The survey, released by a leading consumer product rating and survey publisher in late July, found that 65 percent of those surveyed using chiropractic care for back pain said it helped a lot. Only 53 percent of respondents using prescription medications found them as helpful.

        "Additionally, about half of those surveyed who are using deep-tissue massage, yoga or Pilates said those treatments helped a lot and only 28 percent of respondents using over-the-counter medications reported that they helped a lot.

        "Current evidence-based guidelines support the use of conservative care such as chiropractic for conditions such as chronic lower back pain."

        One serious eye-opener was that only 28% of respondents said over-the-counter medications helped a lot.

        It has been known for quite some time that common over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID) have serious side effects.  One of these side effects is that an estimated 16,500 people die every year.

        Natural, conservative options like Chiropractic, deep tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates are most likely better and safer choices when it comes to relieving back pain.

What About Neck Pain And Headaches?

       Neck pain is very common and it can make your life miserable. If you suffer from headaches... there is a very good chance you suffer from a common type of headache called "cervicogenic headache."  This type of headache is caused by a problem in your neck.

        One way to tell you might suffer from cervicogenic headaches is to identify if any neck motions cause the headaches or increase their severity.

        Also, take a good look at yourself in the mirror.  Does your head tilt to one side?  Is your head posture bad?  In other words, does your head stick out in front of you instead of sitting back over your torso?  You'll probably need a trained eye (like your Chiropractor's) to see that one.