Back pain! (Photo credit: Mike Souza)

Family doctors working closely with chiropractors to ease a patient’s low back pain can lead to fast and effective treatment, a pilot project found.

Doctors reported sending fewer patients for tests and surgical specialists after an assessment and recommendations by a chiropractor during the Ministry of Health-funded study by the Ontario Chiropractic Association.

Cutting the long wait for tests and specialist referrals is a huge relief for patients, said Jan Kasperski, chief executive officer of the Ontario College of Family Physicians.

“That period of waiting for a definitive diagnosis and wondering if they’re going to end up with surgery is really difficult for them,” Kasperski said. (see full article)