None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with non-specific LBP being the most common form. While chiropractic care is widely used for managing LBP, its underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that mechanical interventions, such as spinal manipulation, may influence gene expression related to inflammation, pain modulation, and tissue repair. Previous research has demonstrated that physical therapies, including chiropractic adjustments, can impact neurophysiological and biochemical pathways associated with pain perception and recovery. Studies using mRNA sequencing have revealed alterations in gene expression following various therapeutic interventions, indicating potential molecular-level changes that could explain pain relief and functional improvements. This randomized controlled study aims to investigate whether chiropractic care can modulate gene expression profiles and pain perception in individuals with non-specific LBP. By analyzing mRNA sequencing data before and after intervention, we seek to identify specific genetic markers associated with pain reduction and physiological adaptation. This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the biological effects of chiropractic care, potentially supporting its role as an evidence-based intervention for LBP management.
Interventions
Participants in the intervention group will receive chiropractic care three times per week for two weeks (six sessions in total), including spinal adjustments performed by a registered chiropractor. A registered chiropractor will assess the entire spine, and both sacroiliac joints will be assessed for vertebral subluxation by a registered chiropractor with at least five years of clinical experience. The clinical indicators that will be used to assess the function of the spine before spinal adjus
Participants in the intervention group will receive chiropractic care three times per week for two weeks (six sessions in total), including spinal adjustments performed by a registered chiropractor. A registered chiropractor will assess the entire spine, and both sacroiliac joints will be assessed for vertebral subluxation by a registered chiropractor with at least five years of clinical experience. The clinical indicators that will be used to assess the function of the spine before spinal adjustment intervention include assessing for joint tenderness to palpation manually palpating for a restricted intersegmental range of motion, assessing for palpable asymmetric intervertebral muscle tension, and any abnormal or blocked joint play and end-feel of the joints. Chiropractors use these biomechanical characteristics as clinical indicators of spinal dysfunction and vertebral subluxation. All spinal adjustments carried out in this study will be high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts to the spine or pelvic joints, a standard adjusting technique used by chiropractors. The mechanical properties of chiropractic adjustment have been investigated; and although the actual force applied to the patient's spine depends on the chiropractor, the patient, and the spinal location of the subluxation, the general shape of the force-time history of spinal adjustments is very consistent and the duration of the thrust is always less than 200 milliseconds. The whole assessment and intervention will take around 15 minutes. Adherence to the intervention will be assessed using clinic attendance records documenting chiropractic visits (sessions attended vs. sessions scheduled).
Sponsors
New Zealand College of Chiropractic
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
20 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants aged between 20 and 50 years, with chronic non-specific lower back pain (LBP) lasting more than three months will be included. Participants must be able to provide informed consent and be willing to attend the required study sessions and comply with the intervention protocols.
Exclusion criteria
Pregnant individuals or those planning pregnancy during the study period. People with specific diagnoses related to their lower back pain, such as herniated discs, fractures, or previous spinal surgery. Individuals with neurological disorders or other conditions that may interfere with the study outcomes, as well as participants currently undergoing other active treatments that could influence the results (e.g., other chiropractic care or spinal injections). Those with significant cognitive impairments or disabilities that would prevent participation in the study will be excluded.
Outcome results
None listed