Rehab Science Blog + Patient Resource

Articles related to ‘back pain’

New research for preventing recurrence of lower back pain: 2 do’s and 5 don’ts

Specific recommendations for how to prevent lower back pain are largely absent from existing clinical guidelines and research literature. Thankfully, newly published data provides some much needed evidence-based insight. Non-specific low back pain (pain without an identified cause such as degenerative disc disease) is an enormous health problem, causing huge health…

Is physiotherapy YOUR cure for chronic low back pain? Researchers say that depends…

Physiotherapy is the standard non-surgical treatment for chronic low back pain, but it doesn’t work for everyone.  New research identifies factors that predict how well a patient will respond to treatment. Physiotherapy is recommended for low back pain A conservative approach to treating chronic non-specific low back pain is recommended…

Traction (“spinal decompression therapy”) doesn’t help lower back pain

The latest available clinical data does not support the use of traction (either manual traction or machine-based “non-surgical spinal decompression therapy”) for treating patients with lower back pain with or without sciatica, other than for providing temporary pain relief. Lower back pain is a major source of disability, work absenteeism…

Incorrect treatment of back pain is on the rise

New research shows that physicians are increasingly choosing the wrong treatments for back pain, while physiotherapy referrals remain stagnant. The well-established clinical practice guidelines for managing and treating back pain support the use of non-opioid pain-killers, avoidance of imaging, and the use of physiotherapy including exercise therapy.  For the latest…