Back pain is the second most common reason, after respiratory disorders, that patients use the health care system. (Spine 1987;12:264-8)

According to the World Health Organization, the sharp increase in disability from back pain is an epidemic. Most back pain is caused by mechanical problems in joints and muscles.

Over 90% of back pain, including sprains and strains and back pain caused by normal wear and tear of life, is caused by functional pathology. (restricted joint motion) (Kirkaldy-Willis, Managing Low Back Pain 4th edition 1999)

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (Acute Low Back Problems in Adults; 1994), "the first line of management should be keeping the patient mobile and performing usual daily activities as much as possible, use spinal manipulation and/or non-prescription medication for pain relief and return to normal function."

"Spinal Manipulation is the most commonly used conservative treatment for back pain supported by the most research evidence of effectiveness in terms of early results and long term effectiveness" (RAND study, Paule Shekelle, MD, MPH faculty UCLA 1993)

"Chiropractic patients return to work on average ten times sooner after an injury, compensation costs were 10 times less for chiropractic claims". (The Journal of Occupational Medicine 1991.)

"By every test of cost-effectiveness, the general weight of evidence shows that chiropractic provides important therapeutic benefits at economical cost." (Virginia 1992, Leanord Schifrin Phd. Clinical Professor of Preventative Medicine MCV.)

Chiropractic is the third largest health care profession in the U.S. 1st- medical doctors 2nd- dentists. "Strategies to manage LBP must be long term and preventative". (BMJ 1993;April 3:901-9)

On the evidence, particularly the most scientifically valid clinical studies, spinal manipulation applied by chiropractors is shown to be more effective than alternative treatments for low back pain. Many medical therapies are of questionable validity or are clearly inadequate. (Manga Report, Ontario Ministry of Health).

"Chiropractic users tend to have substantially lower total health care costs" and "chiropractic care reduces the use of both physician and hospital care." (Journal of American Health Policy, 1992)

"Restoration of function and relief from pain must occur at the same time. Failure to restore function means any pain relief will be temporary and reinforces chronic pain. In the management of occupational back pain, the chiropractic profession is leading the way. The problem is weakness and loss of function, not disease. (Waddell MD. The Chiropractic Report 1993; July: 1-6)

Surgery has been found to be helpful in only 1 in 100 cases of lower back pain. (Bigos MD. Agency for Health Care and Policy Research Guidelines on Lower back Pain 1994)

Seaman DC, MS, DABCN. JMPT 1997;20(9):634-644. Joint Complex Dysfunction has been described by DCs, PTs, MDs. All agree that reduced mobility promotes pathological changes in the structures that make up the joint complex & that pain, inflammation and stiffness are common manifestations of the lesion. Restoring mobility is often a primary objective of treatment. Muscle functional imbalances such as tightening, shortening and trigger points are intimately associated with joint hypermobility/hypomobility & are components of joint complex dysfunction. Muscles develop weakness or tightness in typical imbalance patterns, which promote faulty movement patterns, an essential component of joint complex dysfunction. It is likely that joint complex dysfunction develops before pain is generated. Connective tissue, disk and muscle pathology (degeneration & atrophy) without any symptoms can exist in asymptomatic and apparently healthy individuals.