Complementary Therapies Beat Back Pain

Complementary therapies such as chiropractic are more effective at treating back pain than conventional methods, according to research conducted by the charity BackCare.

Respondents were asked to rate the support they received from healthcare specialists, family, friends and employers. 60% rated complementary practitioners very highly whilst only 36% gave the same rating to conventional GPs and consultants.

Experts believe that GPs don't have the time and resources to devote to patients suffering from back pain. GP Dr Laurence Knott commented, "We really need to spend 15 minutes with these patients, and I think the national average is seven-and-a-half. The only way that that can be achieved is either if they relieved us of some of our work or to increase the number of doctors".

Conventional treatments tend to focus on surgical procedures and pain-relieving medication to treat symptoms, whilst alternative practitioners may concentrate on prevention and emotional well being in more depth.

Chiropractor Dr Shane Moss commented, "We do have more time to spend with our patients, but I also think we take a broader view of conditions such as chronic back pain, because that's our area of speciality".

Thursday, 1 November 2001