Chiropractor or Ibuprofen First for Back Pain? A 2025 Study

Should a chiropractor or ibuprofen be your first step for new back pain? A 2025 study of about 50,000 matched adults found a lower rate of opioid use disorder in the group that started with chiropractic care. However, it shows a link, not a cause. Here's what it found, and what it can't tell you.

How the Study Worked

Researchers compared two matched groups of 24,993 adults, each with a new episode of low back pain. One group started with chiropractic spinal manipulation, and the other received an ibuprofen prescription. Then they tracked everyone for up to two years. Also, people with serious causes of back pain, opioid use disorder, or a past opioid prescription were excluded (Trager et al., Health Science Reports, 2025).

The Numbers

• Opioid use disorder: 0.24% (chiropractic first) vs. 1.51% (ibuprofen first)
• Long-term opioid use: 0.42% vs. 1.85%
• Any opioid prescription: 30.96% vs. 45.00%

Notably, the study tracked opioid outcomes. It did not measure which group had less pain.

What It Can't Prove

This was a retrospective study, so it can't show that chiropractic care caused the difference. Also, it only covered people with no earlier opioid use. The authors say more research is needed. In addition, a 2021 review found that guidelines almost universally recommend spinal manipulation for spine pain, but that its effect compared with a placebo remains uncertain (Gevers-Montoro et al., Frontiers in Pain Research). So results vary from person to person.

Safety First

Get urgent medical care before any treatment if you have sudden leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in your groin. Also seek care for a fever or for pain after a major fall or accident. And don't change a prescribed medication without talking to your prescriber.

Your First Visit

Dr. Michael Karr, a UCLA Kinesiology graduate treating West LA patients since 1989, takes digital X-rays on your first visit. Then he explains what he finds and what care fits you. New patients pay $99 for their first chiropractic visit. In addition, we accept most PPO plans, Medicare, Workers' Comp, and MedPay. Also, we serve West LA, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Bel Air, Venice, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Culver City.

Still want the full breakdown with FAQs? Read our complete guide: Chiropractor or Ibuprofen for Back Pain? What a 2025 Study Found.

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Individual results vary. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any treatment program.

Does Spinal Decompression Work? What Three Studies Found

Does spinal decompression work? Three published studies report less pain and better function in people with herniated discs, bulging discs, and sciatica. However, the studies are small or lack a placebo group, so results vary. At West Los Angeles Chiropractic®, Dr. Karr uses the FDA-cleared DRX9000 only after an exam and X-rays.

A 267-patient chart review (Schueren et al., Military Medicine, 2025). Average pain fell from 6.9 to 2.5 on a 10-point scale, and 90.5% of patients reported less pain. Because the researchers reviewed past charts, this study had no comparison group.

A randomized trial (Amjad et al., BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2022). Sixty people with lumbar radiculopathy received either physical therapy alone or physical therapy plus decompression. The decompression group improved more on pain and disability (read the full trial). However, that trial used a different device than the DRX9000.

An MRI case series with the DRX9000 (Connolly et al., Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic, 2025). Thirteen patients received 20 treatments each. On MRI, disc height grew by 1.0 to 1.6 mm on average, and 10 of the 13 patients showed a smaller herniation (see the study).

What the Research Can't Prove Yet

These results are encouraging, but they don't show that spinal decompression works for everyone. None of the three studies used a placebo group. In addition, the chart review and the DRX9000 case series received support from the device's maker, Excite Medical. That's why we describe results as possible, not promised.

Who May Be a Candidate?

Doctors most often consider decompression for herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica. Dr. Michael Karr, a UCLA Kinesiology graduate treating West LA patients since 1989, takes digital X-rays on your first visit and reviews them himself. Then he decides whether decompression, chiropractic care, or another approach fits you best.

New patients pay $99 for their first chiropractic visit. We accept most PPO plans, Workers' Comp, and MedPay. Medicare does not cover spinal decompression, so call Betty for pricing and coverage verification. We serve West LA, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Bel Air, Venice, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Culver City.

Want the full breakdown and answers to common questions? Read our complete guide, Does Spinal Decompression Work? What the Research Shows. You can also learn more about non-surgical spinal decompression at West Los Angeles Chiropractic®.

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📞 Call Betty: 310-914-9400
🌐 WestLosAngelesChiropractic.com
📍 West Los Angeles Chiropractic®, 11340 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 165, Los Angeles, CA 90064
📘 facebook.com/WestLosAngelesChiropractor
📸 instagram.com/west_la_chiropractor_r
▶️ youtube.com/@WestLosAngelesChiropractor
▶️ youtube.com/@westlosangeleschiropractic
🐦 twitter.com/WLAChiropractic
📝 westlosangeleschiropractic.blogspot.com

Individual results vary. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any treatment program. Spinal decompression candidacy determined by clinical evaluation.

What Causes Sciatic Nerve Pain — and How Do You Actually Get Rid of It?

Sciatic nerve pain is the sharp, shooting sensation that radiates from your lower back through your hip and down your leg — usually caused by a herniated disc, a misaligned vertebra, or a bone spur pressing directly on the sciatic nerve. At West Los Angeles Chiropractic®, we identify the exact cause on your first visit with in-office digital X-rays, rather than guessing.

What causes sciatic nerve pain?

Most sciatic nerve pain traces back to something physically compressing the nerve as it exits the lower spine — commonly a herniated or bulging disc, spinal misalignment, or degenerative changes from prolonged sitting. Because the cause is mechanical, temporary fixes like stretching or rest rarely resolve it on their own.

How long does sciatica take to heal?

Mild cases can improve in a few weeks with proper care; cases involving true disc herniation often need ongoing correction of the underlying mechanical cause. Dr. Karr builds each treatment plan around what your X-rays actually show, not a generic timeline.

Can a chiropractor fix sciatica permanently?

Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve at the source. A 2021 review in Frontiers in Pain Research found spinal manipulative therapy can be as effective as standard medical care or physical therapy for non-specific spine pain, which affects over 11% of the world's population and is a leading cause of activity limitation globally. For patients with disc involvement, WLAC also offers DRX9000 non-surgical spinal decompression in-office as an additional option.

Is stretching enough to relieve sciatic nerve pain?

Stretching can ease symptoms temporarily, but it doesn't move a disc off the nerve or correct a spinal misalignment. That's the core difference between symptom relief and actually treating the cause — something we cover in more depth in our chiropractic vs. physical therapy comparison.

When should I see a doctor for sciatica?

See a professional promptly if pain radiates below the knee, if you have numbness or weakness in your leg or foot, or if the pain has lasted more than a week. As a West LA Chiropractor®, Dr. Karr — a UCLA Kinesiology graduate who completed a postgraduate program in radiology — reads every X-ray himself, same-day, so you get real answers on your first visit.

At West Los Angeles Chiropractic®, we've built our practice on one principle: We Treat ALL SPINES of People®. Patients throughout West Los Angeles, Bel Air, Venice, and Westwood trust us for that same-day clarity.

✅ Same-day evaluation with digital X-rays
✅ Most PPO plans accepted, including major Westside tech employer plans
✅ Ground floor, free parking, paperless intake

📍 West Los Angeles Chiropractic®
11340 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 165, Los Angeles, CA 90064
📞 Call Betty: 310-914-9400
🌐 westlosangeleschiropractic.com

Individual results vary. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning treatment. Spinal decompression candidacy determined by clinical evaluation.

Source: Gevers-Montoro C, et al. "Clinical Effectiveness and Efficacy of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation for Spine Pain." Front Pain Res. 2021;2:765921. frontiersin.org

Spinal Adjustment in Los Angeles: What Actually Happens During Your Visit

Spinal Adjustment in Los Angeles: What Actually Happens During Your Visit

A spinal adjustment in Los Angeles should start with knowing exactly what's wrong — not guessing. At West Los Angeles Chiropractic®, Dr. Karr uses same-day digital X-rays to identify the exact vertebra causing your pain, then delivers a precise, targeted adjustment rather than a generic, one-size-fits-all treatment.

WHAT IS A SPINAL ADJUSTMENT, EXACTLY?

A spinal adjustment — also called chiropractic manipulation — is a controlled, precise force applied to a joint in the spine that has lost its normal motion or position. Because the goal is to correct a specific joint, not just loosen things up in general, the accuracy of the adjustment matters as much as the adjustment itself.

WHY GUESSING DOESN'T WORK — AND WHAT WE DO DIFFERENTLY

Many patients have tried a chiropractor before and felt only short-term relief. Often, that's because the adjustment targeted the area that hurt, not the joint actually causing the problem — pain frequently radiates or refers away from its true source. That's why every new patient at West Los Angeles Chiropractic® starts with same-day in-office digital X-rays, so Dr. Karr can see precisely which segment needs correction before any adjustment happens.

A 2021 narrative review in Frontiers in Pain Research found that chiropractic spinal manipulation can be as effective as standard medical care or physical therapy for non-specific low back pain, and is recommended as a frontline intervention in current clinical guidelines (Gevers-Montoro et al., 2021). An accurately targeted adjustment isn't just more comfortable — it's backed by the same evidence base guiding standard care recommendations.

WHO WE TREAT ACROSS THE WESTSIDE

Patients travel to West Los Angeles Chiropractic® from Bel Air, Venice, Westwood, Santa Monica, and Culver City for the same reason: a spine that's examined and treated based on real findings, not assumptions. Dr. Michael C. Karr, D.C. — a UCLA Kinesiology graduate who completed a postgraduate program in radiology, practicing since 1989 — reads every X-ray himself, the same day. We Treat ALL SPINES of People®, because no two spines — or patients — present the same way.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR FIRST VISIT

✅ Same-day in-office digital X-rays

✅ A precise, findings-based spinal adjustment — not a generic protocol

✅ Most PPO insurance accepted

✅ Ground floor, free parking, paperless intake

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT SPINAL ADJUSTMENTS IN LOS ANGELES

Does a spinal adjustment hurt?

Most patients feel pressure or a brief popping sensation, not pain. That sound is gas releasing from the joint, not bone movement.

How many spinal adjustments will I need?

It depends on what the X-ray and exam show. Treatment is based on your specific findings, so Dr. Karr builds your plan after your first visit, not before.

Is a spinal adjustment safe?

For most patients, yes — current clinical guidelines recommend spinal manipulation for non-specific spine pain. Individual candidacy is determined by clinical evaluation, which is exactly why the exam and X-rays come first.

What's the difference between a spinal adjustment and spinal manipulation?

They're the same procedure — "spinal manipulation" is the clinical term, "spinal adjustment" is the common name patients use.

Read the full article: westlosangeleschiropractic.com/spinal-adjustment-los-angeles

Individual results vary. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning treatment.

📞 Call Betty: 310-914-9400

🌐 WestLosAngelesChiropractic.com

📍 11340 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 165, Los Angeles, CA 90064

📘 facebook.com/WestLosAngelesChiropractor

📸 instagram.com/west_la_chiropractor_r

▶️ youtube.com/@WestLosAngelesChiropractor

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🐦 twitter.com/WLAChiropractic

Last updated: September 15, 2026

Massage In Los Angeles / West Los Angeles Chiropractic®

Can massage therapy replace chiropractic care for back and neck pain? Not usually — massage relaxes tight muscles and improves blood flow, but it doesn't correct the joint misalignment or nerve compression often driving the pain. Combining chiropractic adjustments with massage therapy addresses both sides at once, and research suggests patients getting combined care report more improvement than chiropractic care alone.

Why Massage Alone Often Isn't Enough

Muscle tightness is often a symptom, not the root cause. When a spinal joint is misaligned, surrounding muscles tense to protect it — and stay tense even after a massage, because the joint problem hasn't been addressed.

How They Work Together

Chiropractic adjustment corrects the joint misalignment. Massage relaxes the surrounding muscles and helps the adjustment hold longer. Used together, each treatment supports the other.

What the Research Shows

A 200-patient randomized clinical trial from Northwestern Health Sciences University found patients receiving chiropractic combined with massage and other integrative therapies reported significantly more pain reduction and satisfaction with care at both 12 weeks and one year¹.

What to Expect

Dr. Michael C. Karr, D.C. — a UCLA Kinesiology graduate who completed a postgraduate program in radiology — has treated patients throughout West LA, Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice, and Westwood for over 35 years. Massage therapy is offered in-office alongside chiropractic adjustment.

Individual results vary. Not medical advice.

Sources:
1. Bronfort G, et al. “Individualized Chiropractic and Integrative Care for Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Northwestern Health Sciences University, NCT00567333. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3373345/

📞 Call Betty: 310-914-9400
🌐 WestLosAngelesChiropractic.com
📍 11340 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 165, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Originally published at: westlosangeleschiropractic.com/chiropractic-massage-therapy-west-los-angeles