Lower Back Pain Treatment
I have heard so many claims that a certain type of treatment is the answer but the truth is that no-one is 100% certain of what helps. There is no single answer to the problem of simple lower back pain.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) have released some interesting new guidelines on the management of low back pain that is more than 6 weeks old but less than a year. Much of the evidence they present is not surprising - we have known for a while that certain things don't work. Other recommendations have been a surprise and have caused quite a stir in the UK. Read more by following the links below.
- About the NICE guidelines for the treatment for back pain
- What the guidelines recommend for treatment for lower back pain
- What they say you should avoid when treating lower back pain
- Recommendations about whether you should have a lumbar spine MRI scan or other tests
We are all different and our back problems are the result of our own unique bodies and lifestyles. Lower back pain treatment for one person may not be suitable for someone else.
A big problem is the lack of high quality research about many of the lower back pain treatment options available. Few treatments have good solid research proving that they really work. This is further confused by the fact that acute back pain gets better by itself - 75% of people are back to work within 4 weeks.(1)
What else do we know about low back pain treatment ?
It's not at all hopeless - there are certainly things that can help. These are things that we are confident about and that are backed up by some good quality research.
- Simple lower back pain is the most common type of back pain, 95 % of people with lower back pain have this type of problem and nothing more serious. (Causes and Symptoms of Back Pain.)
- We know that resting and avoiding activity is not the best way to manage this problem, it makes the problem worse.
- Sustained poor postures (either sitting, standing or lifting) can make the problem worse.
- Exercise and education are helpful tools in managing lower back pain.
- We know that fear of movement and other unhelpful beliefs (yellow flags) make it more likely that the back pain will last longer and be a greater problem.
- We also know that some treatments help with pain relief - there are a large selection on offer - I have summarised them at in this back pain relief section.
Follow a step by step guide to managing your lower back pain with the Back Fitness Programme. This is a simple six step programme to help you take control of your lower back problem.
Is your back pain acute or chronic?
Lower Back Pain Treatment - Pain Relief
Do's and Don'ts in the management of acute back pain.
Do's and Don'ts in the management of chronic lower back pain.
Lower Back Pain Toolkit Home Page
References
1. NICE Low back pain.<http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG88>
10-Jul-2009
