This page has an excellent overview of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of chiropractic care for low back pain over a 20 year timespan.

Here are some highlights, see the original post for citations:

1993:  ”there would be highly significant cost savings if more management of LBP was transferred from medical physicians to chiropractors.”

1994:  ”only chiropractic care could both reduce pain AND improve function.”

1995:   “those treated by chiropractic derive more benefit and long term satisfaction than those treated by hospitals.”

2004:  90 billion dollars is spent for the care for back pain every year, and 15% of that was for pain medications. Hint:  it’s probably more than $90B per year now…

2005: “chiropractic scored the highest pain relief rating”

2008: “offering chiropractic services within a managed-care environment could save insurers 27% in back pain episode-related costs!”