06/24/2026
✅ Key Takeaway
After reviewing the available randomized controlled trials, the authors concluded that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) may offer comparable or modestly greater benefits than other conservative treatments for older adults with:
✔ Chronic low back pain
✔ Chronic neck pain
✔ Lumbar spinal stenosis
Importantly, no treatments included in the review were found to be superior to SMT. While certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate, the findings support SMT as a viable treatment option within a conservative care approach for older adults with chronic spinal conditions.
Evidence-informed care means understanding the best available research, incorporating clinical expertise, and considering patient preferences when making treatment decisions.
📖 Schielke et al. JCCA 2026