Assessment of Chiropractic Treatment: Strength and Balance

This study will assess three functional outcomes (strength, balance and endurance) and
patient-reported outcomes in participants with low back pain (LBP) treated with chiropractic
care, providing evidence that may enhance our understanding of the relationship between
functional outcomes and chiropractic care. The findings from this study may support the use
of chiropractic care for military personnel as an effective, conservative treatment for low
back pain that may also help preserve or improve functional outcomes and thus, allow active
duty personnel to better perform the physical demands required of them.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age range 18 - ≤ 40, inclusive

2. Able to provide written informed consent

3. Self-reported acute, subacute or chronic LBP at initial screen and baseline visit 1.
Pain intensity of ≥ 2 on NRS within the past 24 hours.

4. Active duty status

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any chiropractic care within 30 days of informed consent

2. Any LBP confirmed or suspected to arise from a visceral source

3. Spinal pathology or any other condition(s) contraindicating SM

4. LBP for which specific treatments outside those available within study parameters are
indicated

5. Any spinal fracture within the past 6 months

6. Any spinal surgery within the past 6 months

7. LBP with positive neurologic signs indicating spinal nerve root compression, or LBP
with presumptive or confirmed spinal nerve root compression

8. Imaging evidence of neuroforaminal or spinal canal stenosis or the clinical
presentation of neurogenic claudication

9. Chronic pain syndrome diagnosis

10. Diagnosis or suspected systemic inflammatory arthropathy of the spine

11. Referral needed to evaluate or treat an urgent or emergent condition or to determine
the status of a condition that pertains to eligibility

12. Unable to safely perform strength, balance, or endurance tests, or the ability to
assess health status

13. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next 6 weeks

14. Knowledge of impending transfer or absence during study period

15. Seeking or referred for Medical Evaluation Board / Physical Evaluation Board
disability status (to ensure safety while performing study tests and to avoid
confounding due to the potential for competing recovery goals)

16. Unable or unwilling to comply with study protocols

17. Patellar height is <15 inches or >25.5 inches