Advice could be as good as physical treatment for back pain

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study suggests that education and advice from a physiotherapist may be as good as physical treatment for people who have back pain.
Low back pain is one of the most common symptoms prompting people to seek medical advice. In the UK, patients often get referred to a physiotherapist if medication and advice is not effective.

A team at Keele University now reports on a comparison between a pain management program delivered by physiotherapists and manipulation therapy. The study involved 400 adults and showed that there was no difference at the three month and 12 month point for participants in either group. Therefore, self-help and advice may be a useful option for those with persistent back pain. At least it needs fewer treatment sessions, puts the patient in charge and, in this study, resulted in fewer referrals on for specialist treatment.

Source
The Lancet 11th June 2005

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