Full Results for SpineUniverse Back Pain Treatment Options Survey

Written by Stewart G. Eidelson, MD

In 2008, SpineUniverse presented people visiting its website with a list of treatment options. They were asked to rate their satisfaction with the outcome of each treatment they tried. They were given a scale from Very Dissatisfied to Very Satisfied. Patients were also able to note that they hadn't tried a treatment option.
SpineUniverse presented people visiting its website with a list of treatment options.499 people responded to the survey, generating the following results:

Back Pain Treatment Option	Very Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Satisfied	Very Satisfied
Acupuncture/ Acupressure	51	69	37	27
Chiropractic	95	113	67	46
Exercise	44	138	170	82
Herbal Remedies	60	90	41	10
Injections	90	107	86	42
Massages	38	107	139	82
Over-the-counter Pain Medication	133	173	101	23
Prescription Pain Medication	33	127	178	73
Physical Therapy	60	153	125	66
Surgery	53	52	50	51
Weight Loss	28	87	109	50

Back Pain Treatment Option	Didn't Try This	Did Try This
Acupuncture/ Acupressure	315	184
Chiropractic	178	321
Exercise	65	434
Herbal Remedies	298	201
Injections	173	325
Massages	132	366
Over-the-counter Pain Medication	69	430
Prescription Pain Medication	87	411
Physical Therapy	94	404
Surgery	291	206
Weight Loss	223	274

Type of Treatment for Back Pain	% satisfied or better
Herbal Remedies	25.4%
Over-the-counter Pain Medication	28.8%
Acupuncture/Acupressure	34.8%
Chiropractic	35.2%
Injections	39.4%
Physical Therapy	47.3%
Surgery	49.0%
Weight Loss	58.0%
Exercise	58.1%
Massages	60.4%
Prescription Pain Medication	61.1%

% of respondents satisfied or better with back pain treatment option

Type of Treatment for Back Pain	% Dissatisfied or Worse
Herbal Remedies	74.6%
Over-the-counter Pain Medication	71.2%
Acupuncture/Acupressure	65.2%
Chiropractic	64.8%
Injections	60.6%
Physical Therapy	52.7%
Surgery	51.0%
Weight Loss	42.0%
Exercise	41.9%
Massages	39.6%
Prescription Pain Medication	38.9%