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MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 14 April 2015
For Immediate Release
Spinal care more effective than Paracetamol for back pain & osteoarthritis
The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia supports evidence from the British Medical Journal,
which suggests non-pharmacological treatments such as spinal care are safer and more
effective than paracetamol for back pain and osteoarthritis.
Spokesperson Dr Billy Chow, Chiropractor, said “It is a positive reflection on Australia’s health
care system to take notice of this latest research which convincingly demonstrates the
ineffectiveness of one of the nation’s top-selling over the counter and prescribed drugs”.
This systematic review by Machado and Colleagues, found using pharmaceuticals in the
management of musculoskeletal pain was not only expensive, but ineffective for reducing pain
intensity and disability in patients with back pain and osteoarthritis. The report called for a shift
in the behaviour of doctors and their patients from using tablets as the default option for
managing chronic musculoskeletal pain, to prescribing non-pharmacological treatments, which
were safer and had multiple benefits which extended beyond the musculoskeletal system.
Dr Chow said chiropractors had long recognised the ineffectiveness of paracetamol in
managing back pain along with its associated growing costs and negative effects on the
liver. The report in the British Medical Journal has reinforced this, placing the likelihood of a
damaged liver at nearly four times greater for back pain with patients using common pain-killers.
It is estimated that around 10-15% of all consultations with a general practitioner are in regard
to spinal pain and osteoarthritis. Dr Chow said that “the fact that a highly respected peerreviewed journal of the global medical profession called for physical treatments to be the way
forward to manage low back pain and osteoarthritis in a safe, drug free manner, laid a clear
foundation for greater cooperation between medical practitioners and chiropractors to crossrefer in order to ensure patients received the best clinical outcomes at the lowest cost”.
With Spinal Health Week just around the corner, from 25-31 May, the Chiropractors’ Association
of Australia encourages people to adopt healthy habits and use preventative health measures to
improve their wellness and posture, while seeking non-pharmacological treatments for back
pain.
- Ends –
More Information:
Spinal Health Week: www.spinalhealthweek.com
Chiropractors’ Association of Australia: www.chiropractors.asn.au
Media Contact:
Natasha Omar
Communications Director
M: 0431 048 390
T: 02 4731 8011
E: communications@caa.asn.au
CAA - The Peak Body Representing Chiropractors
www.chiropractors.asn.au
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About the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia
The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (National) Limited (CAA) is the peak body
representing chiropractors in Australia. It has eight autonomous CAA state and territory
associations. The Association has a current membership of approximately 3,000 members. The
national body is involved with such matters as education, publications, conventions,
international relations and the liaison with federal government authorities. The CAA actively
promotes the profession within Australia to the general public and to other professionals in
health related fields.
For more information visit www.chiropractors.asn.au or phone (02) 4731 8011
About Chiropractic in Australia
More than 215,000 Australians see a chiropractor each week to treat a range of conditions
relating to spinal health including; lower back pain, neck pain and acute and chronic pain.
Chiropractors are five year university trained experts in spinal health and wellbeing; delivering
healthcare which is safe, effective and regulated.
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