Elderly Back Pain: Comparing Chiropractic to Medical Care

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 55 or older * Idiopathic low back pain (LBP) of at least four weeks duration * Meet the diagnostic classification of 1, 2, or 3 according to the Quebec Task Force on Spinal Disorders Exclusion Criteria: * Low back pain (LBP) not meeting Quebec Task Force Diagnostic Classifications 1, 2 or 3, especially LBP associated with: frank radiculopathy, altered lower extremity reflex, dermatomal sensory deficit, progressive unilateral muscle weakness or motor loss, symptoms of cauda equina compression, and CT or MRI evidence of anatomical pathology (e.g. abnormal disc, lateral or central stenosis. * Co-morbid conditions or general poor health that could significantly complicate the prognosis of LBP, including pregnancy, bleeding disorders, extreme obesity, and clear evidence of narcotic or other drug abuse. * Major clinical depression defined as scores greater that 29 on the Beck Depression Inventory - Second Edition * Bone or joint pathology that contraindicate spinal manipulative therapy of joint pathology that contraindicate spinal manipulative therapy of the arthropathies and significant osteoporosis * Pacemaker, because there are safety issues with equipment used to collect data in the biomechanical testing laboratory * Current or pending litigation related to current episode of LBP. * Receiving disability for any health-related condition * Spinal Manipulative care for any reason within the past month * Unwilling to postpone use of manual therapies for LBP except those provided in the study for the duration of the study period. * Unable to read or verbally comprehend English.