Sorry somasimple but there are just as many studies like this that have shown "general physio" and "manipulative therapy" are in fact superior to GP management and placebo (a detuned ultrasound machine). In fact this study, a double blind RCT (Scandinavian I think) was repeated with the same effect.

Interestingly the general physio had no different effect to the manip group although the manip group did have better numbers. Perhaps the funniest result was that the placebo did better than the GP's.

I should think that RCT's are in effective in proving the effectiveness in a back pain population and that single case designs are far more appropriate. I will try to find the study I am referring to though and post it in the forum later today

PhysioBob 8o