Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) reduces pain and improves function in patients suffering from chronic low back pain, according to a study conducted at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth.

OMT is a "hands-on" treatment that moves bones, muscles, and joints to treat ailments. It is practiced by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.'s) who are medical doctors with additional training in osteopathic medicine.

Researchers reported on the results of two randomized double-blind trials of 455 patients ages 21 to 69 to determine the effectiveness of OMT. Patients had at least a three-month history of low back pain, and participated in six OMT sessions over a period of eight weeks. They were assessed at week 12 using measures of pain and function.

The first study found that OMT helped patients recover from chronic low back pain. The second study found that those who had the greatest disability before the trial received the greatest benefits. Those who reported a baseline disability of 17 or greater on a scale of 24 experienced reduction in pain of at least 50 percent.

The study results led researchers to suggest patients try OMT before undergoing surgery.
"Subgrouping patients according to chronic low back pain intensity and function appears to be a simple strategy for identifying patients who can attain substantial improvement with OMT," said John C. Licciardone, D.O. "From a cost and safety perspective, OMT should be considered before progressing to more costly or invasive interventions."

According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. A survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that low back pain was the most common type of pain reported — 27 percent. Those with low back pain were three times more likely to report fair or poor health, and four times more likely to have severe psychological problems than those who didn't have low back pain.