Table 4 Description of the 731 chiropractic patients who took part in a practice-based outcome study on low back pain

Duration since first treatment (at 4th visit or before if treatment completed before then)

642

1-14 days

402

63

15-28 days

176

27

4-6 weeks

47

7

6-8 weeks

9

1

more than 8 weeks

8

1

Pain intensity past 24 hrs (at 4^th visit)

626

none

182

29

weak

267

43

moderate

148

24

severe

27

4

unbearable

2

<1

Present LBP status (outcome at 4^th visit)

662

definitely better

506

76

probably better

107

16

no change

41

6

probably worse

5

1

definitely worse

3

<1

Number of treatments

730

1

53

7

2

111

15

3

113

15

4

453

62

If treatment concluded before 4^th visit, why?

731

not necessary, OK

155

21

not better

16

2

not possible to return/not able to pay

46

6

absent for unknown reason

48

7

referred out

13

2

not relevant (were not concluded before 4^th visit)

453