Can Restoring the Low Back Curve Reduce Chronic Low Back Pain?

What a Randomized Clinical Trial Reveals for reducing pai9n

Chronic low back pain can be frustrating — especially when stretching, heat, or therapy only provides short-term relief.

A randomized clinical trial published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics asked an important question:

What happens when we don’t just treat pain — but correct the structure of the spine?

The findings strongly support what we focus on at Chiropatrick Chiropractic Center:restoring the natural curve of the low back matters.

Understanding the Problem: Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain

Chronic mechanical low back pain (CMLBP) is often associated with:

• Reduced or flattened lumbar lordosis

• Abnormal movement between spinal segments

• Poor shock absorption

• Ongoing stress on discs, joints, and nerves

When the spine loses its normal curve, movement becomes inefficient — and pain often follows.

What This Study Looked At

Researchers studied 80 adults (ages 40–50) with:

• Chronic mechanical low back pain

• A hypolordotic (flattened) lumbar spine

Participants were randomly divided into two groups:

Group 1: Traditional Therapy

• Stretching exercises

• Infrared heat therapy

Group 2: Structural Correction Therapy

• Lumbar extension traction

• Stretching exercises

• Infrared heat therapy

The goal was to see whether adding lumbar extension traction would improve:

• Spinal curve

• Pain levels

• Movement between spinal segments

What Makes Lumbar Extension Traction Different?

Lumbar extension traction is designed to:

• Gently and progressively restore the natural lumbar curve

• Reduce abnormal loading on spinal joints

• Improve movement between individual vertebrae

Unlike stretching alone, traction targets the structure of the spine, not just the muscles.

What the Study Found

Improved Lumbar Curve

Patients who received lumbar extension traction showed:

• Significant improvement in their sagittal lumbar curve

• Measurable structural change — not just symptom relief

Better Spinal Motion Between Vertebrae

The traction group demonstrated improved motion at multiple spinal levels, including:

• L2–L3

• L3–L4

• L4–L5

• L5–S1

This means the spine moved more normally and more efficiently.

Greater Pain Reduction

Compared to stretching and heat alone, the traction group experienced:

• Greater improvement in pain scores

• More consistent results over time

In contrast, the non-traction group showed limited or inconsistent improvement.

Why This Matters for Long-Term Results

This study reinforces a key principle:

When spinal structure improves, function and pain improve too.

Stretching and heat can help temporarily, but they do not restore spinal curves.Structural correction addresses the root cause instead of chasing symptoms.

How This Research Is Used at Chiropatrick Chiropractic Center

At C3, we apply these principles through postural and spinal corrective care, including techniques based on Chiropractic BioPhysics® (CBP®).

Our process includes:

• Postural and spinal analysis

• Objective measurements of spinal curves

• Gentle, motion-based, and low-force adjustments

• Targeted lumbar traction when appropriate

• Re-evaluations to measure structural change

We don’t rely on “how you feel today” alone — we track progress objectively.

Who May Benefit from This Approach?

You may be a candidate for lumbar curve restoration if you:

• Have chronic or recurring low back pain

• Have tried therapy or stretching without lasting results

• Sit frequently or have posture-related strain

• Have disc or joint degeneration

• Want long-term improvement, not temporary relief

The research shows: change is possible — even in chronic cases.

Take the Next Step Toward Structural Healing

New patients at Chiropatrick Chiropractic Center receive a complimentary consultation, exam, and posture screening (a $250 value).

This allows us to:

• Determine whether your lumbar curve is reduced

• Identify abnormal spinal motion

• See whether structural correction may help you

The Staff at C3

Chiropatrick Chiropractic Center3 Fundy Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105📞 (207) 781-2003🌐 askchiropatrick.com

Schedule your free posture and spinal evaluation today and find out whether restoring your spinal structure could change your pain — and your future.

Research Reference

Diab AA, Moustafa IM.Lumbar lordosis rehabilitation for pain and lumbar segmental motion in chronic mechanical low back pain: A randomized trial.Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2012.