Chiropractic Adjustments Better Than Exercise for Chronic Low-Back Pain

Cox Flexion distraction is a common chiropractic technique that I use in my office. In a recent study, 235 patients received chiropractic care or participated in an exercise program, and were followed for one year using questionnaires to assess levels of pain and dysfunction.
 
The patients/subjects had a decrease in their pain and disability after intervention, regardless of which group they were in. However, one year later, subjects who received chiropractic care had significantly lower pain scores than subjects who followed the exercise program.
 
Resource:

Cambron JA, Gudavalli MR, Hedeker D, McGregor M, Jedlicka J, Keenum M, et al. One-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing flexion distraction with an exercise program for chronic low-back pain. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, September 2006;12(7):659-68