September 2026 Healthy News from Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation: How to Keep Low Back Pain From Becoming a Long-Term Problem
KEEPING LOW BACK PAIN FROM BECOMING CHRONIC
Most people who deal with an episode of low back pain feel better within a few weeks, but for about 20% of patients, that pain persistsand starts interfering with daily life. A major, federally fundedclinical trial called PACBACK, newly publishedin JAMA Internal Medicine, took a close look at how to head offthat shift from short-term pain to a chronic, high-impactcondition. (1) Researchers followed1,000 adultswith acute or subacute low back pain who were at higher risk of developing chronic symptoms, comparing guideline-based medical careagainst spinal manipulation, a clinician-supported self-management program, and a combination of the two. The self-management program — centered on education, guided exercise, and staying active despite discomfort — proved to be the most effective piece for keeping pain from taking over patients' daily lives over the full year. An accompanying editorial noted that results like these point toward a broader opportunity: preventing chronic low back pain may depend less on any single treatment and more on reliably deliveringguideline-recommended care as soon as symptoms begin, before pain has a chance to become entrenched. Why does this matter to your care? Because recognizing early warning signs allows your care team to intervene before symptoms worsen. (2) At Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Carrolltown, this research confirmswhat our team already emphasizes — that in-office care works best when it's backed bythe right self-care habits. It also explains our approach at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation: rather than a standard protocol, we build each treatment plan around your specific pain history, risk factors, and goals, because that kind of individualized care is what leads to outcomes that hold up over time.
CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH: LET MOVEMENT BE PART OF YOUR RECOVERY
Cox® flexion-distraction technique, the gentle, non-thrust method your chiropractor may use for low back pain, has a long track record of helping patients regain function without aggravating symptoms. A landmark case series of 1,000 patients treated with this method reported favorable outcomes across a broad range of low back conditions, highlighting the value of an approach that supports the body's movement rather than against it. This mirrors what years of hands-on practice with flexion-distraction has shown — that gentle, targeted motion can support recovery without overloading the spine. That idea carries over directly into self-management at home. A recent review of older adults' firsthand experiences with chronic low back pain found that avoiding movement out of fear tends to backfire, making pain and disability worse over time. Give this a try this month: pick one activity you've been avoiding because of your back — a brief walk, light gardening, or simply spending more time standing during the day — and ease back into it slowly. (4) Combine it with any home exercises you've already been shown, and let your chiropractor know at your next appointment how your body responded. Remaining appropriately active, alongside your in-office care, is one of the most effective things you can do to keep a passing episode from becoming a lasting problem.
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Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nike Taylor on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she shares the frustration of chronic low back pain and the relieving treatment for a patient with chronic low back pain using The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.