• Rogers CJ
• Elchert CR
• Hackney ME

• Affiliation / Birmingham VA Medical Center
• Affiliation / Emory Univeristy Schhol of Medicine. Department of Medicine. Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology
• Affiliation / Veteran’s Health Administration Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC)
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Alabama / Birmingham
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Georgia / Decatur
• Aged
• Flexion-Distraction Technique
• Geriatrics
• Low Back Pain
• Male
• Open Access Document
• Veterans

Objective: The purpose of this case report was to describe the treatment of an older veteran with chronic low back pain, utilizing flexion-distraction as a primary intervention for management.

Clinical Features: A 67-year-old man with chronic low back pain for several decades presented to the chiropractic clinic for evaluation. He reported low back pain that extended into the right lower extremity intermittently. The patient's imaging demonstrated significant degenerative changes in the lumber spinal anatomy. He had never experienced chiropractic interventions or management for his condition.

Intervention and Outcome: A trial of conservative care with flexion-distraction was applied as a primary intervention for the management of chronic low back pain. Instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization and moist heat were also applied for interventions. Despite having no changes in outcome assessments, the patient reported an improvement in his condition, reduced use of pain medication, and increased mobility after 4 sessions over a 4-week period.

Conclusion: Flexion-distraction was a beneficial chiropractic approach to the management of an older veteran with chronic low back pain and intermittent lower extremity pain for several decades.

Author Keywords:  Chiropractic; Geriatrics; Veterans; Low Back Pain

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; click on the above link for free full text.  PubMed Record | PDF