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Table 3 Interventions undertaken or recommended by chiropractic respondents - n (%)

From: Management of people with acute low-back pain: a survey of Australian chiropractors

Response options

Vignette 1

Vignette 2

Vignette 3

Vignette 4

Vignette 5

Bed rest*

1 (0)

1 (0)

3 (1)

47 (17)

36 (13)

Bed rest outside guideline recommendations†

0 (0)

0 (0)

2 (1)

12 (4)‡

NA

Paracetamol

18 (7)

21 (8)

18 (7)

53 (19)

99 (36)

NSAIDs

38 (14)

21 (8)

65 (24)

125 (46)

48 (18)

Back exercises

79 (29)

97 (35)

133 (49)

41 (15)

14 (5)

General exercise

135 (49)

213 (78)

130 (47)

94 (34)

62 (23)

Advice to stay active

143 (52)

183 (67)

134 (49)

101 (37)

68 (25)

Advice regarding alternate ways of moving

184 (67)

168 (61)

141 (51)

169 (62)

131 (48)

Advice to avoid pain provoking movements

196 (72)

181 (66)

134 (49)

191 (70)

155 (57)

Work modification

105 (38)

113 (41)

119 (43)

132 (48)

28 (10)

Spinal manipulation/adjustment

251 (92)

219 (80)

189 (69)

173 (63)

95 (35)

Mobilisation

84 (31)

96 (35)

66 (24)

93 (34)

55 (20)

Massage

155 (57)

162 (59)

120 (44)

131 (48)

106 (39)

Lumbar supports

10 (4)

10 (4)

29 (11)

42 (15)

23 (8)

Spinal traction

6 (2)

5 (2)

21 (8)

23 (8)

4 (1)

Acupuncture

15 (5)

13 (5)

29 (11)

22 (8)

11 (4)

Electrotherapy

22 (8)

20 (7)

24 (9)

31 (11)

25 (9)

Thermal modalities

135 (49)

105 (38)

74 (27)

151 (55)

120 (44)

Printed information

29 (11)

29 (11)

15 (5)

19 (7)

4 (1)

Referral to another health care provider

6 (2)

25 (9)

84 (31)

28 (10)

35 (13)

  1. N = 274 chiropractors unless otherwise specified.
  2. * Advising bed rest (irrespective of the number of days).
  3. † Advising bed rest for more than 2 days.
  4. ‡ N = 268