Chiropractic Research Brief · August 17, 2026
A Cochrane review found that spinal adjustment offered a small average short-term benefit for chronic low-back pain compared with sham care. Against other conservative treatments, the pain difference was small. Confidence in the exact size of the benefit was low.
What this means for patients
In the EduSwim trial, eight weeks of swimming plus education improved disability more than education alone. The pain difference was modest, and the groups were no longer clearly different at one year. Choose a form of movement that fits your life and ask how you and your clinician will track progress.
A question to bring to your next visit
What everyday task would tell me my back is improving?