Chiropractic for Low Back Pain: Effectiveness vs. Awareness

Despite strong scientific evidence supporting chiropractic for low back pain, a significant awareness gap persists among the public. This article highlights the work of Dr. Christine Goertz, a distinguished chiropractor and researcher at Duke University School of Medicine, who is dedicated to closing this gap. Dr. Goertz has not only published landmark studies, including a highly cited trial in JAMA Network Open, but has also created clinical pathways at Duke Health that guide patients toward non-drug options like chiropractic as a first-line treatment. Her new book, "Take Your Back Back," is a direct effort to educate a mainstream audience. It aims to empower patients by debunking common myths about back pain, explaining the evidence for treatments like manual therapy, and providing a practical guide to advocating for better care. The book positions chiropractors as the right first call for low back pain. For practicing chiropractors, this book represents a rare, valuable resource: a patient-focused guide written by a highly credentialed researcher that validates their work in accessible language. It's a tool that can be used to educate skeptical patients and reinforce the value of a conservative-care-first approach.