A case of a potential manipulation responder whose back pain resolved with flexion exercises

Researchers have begun to investigate the value of subgrouping patients with back pain to improve clinical outcomes; one method is the development of clinical prediction rules. To be of clinical value, it is important that subgroups identify distinct categories of patients with an associated optimal treatment. This case study raises the suggestion that subgroups identified in this way may not represent distinct categories.

A patient with sudden-onset back pain, who had 4 of 5 criteria for a clinical prediction rule said to identify responders to manipulation, was successfully treated using repeated flexion in lying exercises.

Pain numeric score and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire were used to measure changes in pain and function. Pain score changed from 9/10 to 0/10 and disability score from 19/24 to 0/24 after 1 week and at 1 and 6 months of follow-up.

We have presented a case study that was positive for 4 of 5 items of the clinical prediction rule for manipulation responders, but this patient was successfully treated with flexion exercises. The clinical prediction rule may not represent a discrete subgroup but may include patients who can be effectively managed in other ways.