[Spinal manipulation for chronic low back pain--a survey of a chronic review]

A new Cochrane review based on 26 studies - 18 new since the last Cochrane review from 2003 - on spinal manipulation for chronic low back pain has been published by Rubinstein et al. Generally, manipulation for these patients was not clinically relevant better than other treatments like e.g. physical training. In general, the widespread use of manipulation should be reduced. The issues of specific subgroups with possible relevance/irrelevance of such treatment to obtain short-lasting pain relief in selected cases are discussed.