Shoe Orthotics for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Ground Breaking Original Research: Published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of shoe orthotics with and without chiropractic treatment for chronic low back pain compared with no treatment.
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Integrative medicine teaching clinic at a university.
Participants: 225 adult subjects with symptomatic low back pain of 3 months
Interventions: Subjects were randomized into 1 of 3 treatment groups (shoe orthotic, plus, and waitlist groups).
Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures were change in perceived back pain (numerical pain rating scale) and functional health status (Oswestry Disability Index) after 6 weeks of study participation. Outcomes were also assessed after 12 weeks and then after an additional 3, 6, and 12 months.
Proven 34.5% improvement in low back pain with orthotics