How Fast
VARIABLES
Many variables influence how back Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression relieves pain in patients: severity of pain, type of condition, length of time of suffering, etc. Cox® Technic protocols outline the answer to "how fast will the pain go away" according to the Rule of 50%:
50% relief is sought within 30 days.
At 50% relief of pain, office visit frequency is reduced by 50%.
ex: If a patient is seen once a day, s/he would then be seen once every two days.
Imaging and other tests are not generally ordered unless progressive neurological deficit or cauda equina syndrome is present or appears during the course of care.
Note: Often 50% relief is reported in a day or two, sometimes (in more painful conditions) it isn't reported until weeks two to three of care. The physician sets the treatment plan and carefully monitors progress.
EVIDENCE
To more directly answer the question of "how fast will the pain go away," a published collection of clinical patient data is evidence. Data regarding 1000 cases of low back pain treated in 30 different chiropractic offices were collected. 293 different variables were collected regarding the patient and his/her condition, history, care, outcomes. *
Days & Visits to Maximum Improvement
To reach maximum improvement (100% relief of pain, 3 months of care, or return to pre-injury state), the mean outcomes regardless of condition were 29 days and 12 visits.
Some Conditions Require More Care
When specific back pain conditions were taken into account, the outcomes vary. Examples:
L5 disc herniation
86% were maximally improved in less than 3 months
36% needed more than 20 visits
30% needed more than 30 visits
Lumbar Sprain/Strain
91% were maximally improved in less than 3 months
29% needed more than 20 visits
9% needed more than 30 visits
COOPERATION
Cooperation between patient and physician are important. Cox® Technic may help relieve the pain. The first 30 days of care are critical indicators of relief, so patients must choose to follow the doctor's suggestions to attain the best relief possible. The doctor's most thorough explanation of the condition and its treatment plan raises the chance of patient congruence with care for the best clinical outcome and pain relief.
* The full article was published in Topics in Clinical Chiropractic 1996; 3(3) and is reprinted in Dr. Cox's Low Back Pain textbook.