Chronic back pain is a prevalent form of discomfort affecting approximately 16 million American adults. A recent study has unveiled discouraging revelations about potential treatments for this condition. The study, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, discovered that only about 1 out of 10 treatments were effective in alleviating lower back pain. Many treatments were deemed to be marginally more effective than placebos, as per a press release from the University of New South Wales.
Dr. Aidan Cashin, the lead author of the study, highlighted that their review did not find substantial evidence of significant effects from any of the treatments examined. The research encompassed 301 randomized, controlled trials evaluating 56 non-surgical treatments for acute low back pain, chronic low back pain, or a combination of both, compared against placebo groups.
The study encompassed a range of treatments including pharmacological options like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants, as well as non-pharmacological approaches such as exercise and massage. Ineffective treatments for acute low back pain included exercise, steroid injections, and paracetamol, while antibiotics and anaesthetics were deemed unsuitable for chronic low back pain.
The study suggested NSAIDs as potentially effective for acute low back pain, while therapies like exercise, taping, spinal manipulation, antidepressants, and TRPV1 agonists could be moderately effective for chronic low back pain. However, the effects were noted to be minor.
The researchers concluded that more high-quality, placebo-controlled trials are necessary to ascertain treatment efficacy and dispel uncertainties for patients and healthcare providers. Dr. Stephen Clark, a physical therapist, emphasized the importance of considering multiple factors influencing pain and recommended tailored, multimodal treatments for individuals experiencing pain.
“To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter, Click Here” according to physical therapy research, a combination of manual therapy (joint mobilization/manipulation, soft tissue techniques), active interventions like exercise, and education on managing pain is key,” stated one expert. It’s important to recognize that what worked for someone else may not necessarily work for you,” another physical therapist emphasized. Surgical intervention may be effective for some patients, but it should be considered a last resort for non-emergency situations due to potential challenges. For more health-related articles, please visit www.foxnews.com/health. Surgery may be necessary in certain cases, but it should not be the sole solution,” as understanding pain and the individual’s circumstances is crucial,” explained the expert. In many instances, conservative care can help prevent or delay the need for invasive procedures. Source: Just 1 in 10 back pain treatments work, study says — alternative approaches recommended.
