Recurrent low back pain (LBP) can be downright debilitating. If you have LBP and your disability is keeping you from returning to work, physical therapy can help.
A graded exercise intervention, emphasizing stabilizing exercises, for patients with recurrent low back pain still at work seems more effective in improving disability and health parameters than daily walks, says a study in the February 1 issue (Vol 34 Issue 3) of Spine.
Seventy-one patients with recurrent LBP seeking care at an outpatient physical therapy clinic were randomized into 2 treatment groups – graded exercise intervention or daily walks. Treatment was for 8 weeks, with follow-up post-treatment and at 6, 12, and 36 months. The primary outcome was perceived disability and pain at a 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included physical health, fear-avoidance, and self-efficacy beliefs.
At 12 months, the comparison showed a reduction in perceived disability in favor of the exercise group, whereas such an effect for pain emerged only immediately post-intervention. Ratings of physical health and self-efficacy beliefs also improved in the exercise group over the long term, though no changes were observed for fear-avoidance beliefs.
If you want to reduce your back pain and return to work, physical therapists at ECRC physical therapy can help.
