Spinal Adjustments + Acupuncture Beat Other Care for Disc Herniations (New RCT Results) | #500

11 Aug 2025 · 14 min
14:25

YouTube video/podcast episode by Dr. Jeff Langmaid (The Evidence-Based Chiropractor, episode #500) discussing a recent randomized controlled trial (published in Frontiers in Medicine) comparing four non-pharmacological treatments for lumbar disc herniation: spinal adjustments + acupuncture (combination), acupuncture alone, spinal adjustments alone, and traction. The trial enrolled ~240+ patients (~60 per group) treated three times weekly for three weeks and followed at 3 and 12 weeks. The combination group showed the largest improvements: VAS pain decreased >63% and JOA (Japanese Orthopedic Association) function scores improved >55%; acupuncture- or adjustment-only groups had ~10% smaller gains; traction ~20% smaller gains. Results persisted at 3 months. Episode also includes host thank-yous (500th episode), practice/marketing advice, and sponsor mentions (Patient Pilot, Leander Tables, Neckhare).

Questions this video answers

Over 240 patients (about 60 per group).

Three weeks, three sessions per week.

Pain (visual analog scale, VAS) and function (Japanese Orthopedic Association score, JOA).

VAS decreased by over 63%; JOA/function scores improved by over 55%.

Acupuncture-only and adjustment-only groups had ~10% smaller improvements than the combination; traction had ~20% smaller improvements.

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