Acute low back pain which is described as pain lasting for 6 weeks or less can often be cured but chronic low back pain lasting greater than 6 weeks is often a different ball game. Pain which persists for 3 months is quite likely to persist for months if not years. In Australia, 1 in 5 people are reported to have long standing back pain which can often place a burden on the workplace and cost of health.
A recent trial by researchers at the University of Sydney and Auckland University of Technology have been able to show that physiotherapy prescribed exercise and advice for patients with a 6 week history of low back pain were effective in reducing pain and improving function. These patients were followed for a period of 1 year.
It is thought that physiotherapy advice given is designed to increase understanding of the nature of low back pain in patients which will then minimize their fear and hence allow them to return to more normal activities.
Researchers: Dr Liset Pengel, Prof Kathryn Refshauge, Assoc. Prof Chris Maher, Assoc. Prof Michael Nicholas, Assoc Prof. Rob Herbert, Prof Peter McNair
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