Q Is exercise therapy effective treatment for low back pain?
Abstract
Evidence-based answer: Yes, it is somewhat effective. Exercise therapy—including general exercise, yoga, Pilates, and motor control exercise—has been shown to modestly decrease pain in chronic low back pain (LBP); levels of benefit in short-([less than or equal to] 3 months) and long- ([grater than or equal to] 1 year) term follow-up range from 4% to 15% improvement (strength of recommendation [SOR] A, based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). Exercise therapy may improve function and decrease work disability in subacute and chronic LBP, respectively (SOR A, based on a meta-analysis of RCTs). Exercise therapy has not been associated with improvement in acute LBP (SOR A, based on a meta-analysis of RCTs).
Citation
J Fam Pract. 2021 October;70(8):E2-E3 | doi: 10.12788/jfp.029
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OpenAccess.
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