The American College of Physicians has revised it’s treatment guidelines for lower back pain recommending conservative treatment and avoiding use of Corticosteroids and Narcotics. Pharmacological intervention was determine to be either ineffective of ill advised as a result of increased chance of adverse side effects. Conservative interventions including spine manipulation, motor control training, and various other movement therapies were considered equally or more successful with reduced risk of harm or adverse side effects. See more… Here are a few of their key recommendations from the research article
Recommendation 1:
Given that most patients with acute or subacute low back pain improve over time regardless of treatment, clinicians and patients should select nonpharmacologic treatment with superficial heat (moderate-quality evidence), massage, acupuncture, or spinal manipulation (low-quality evidence). If pharmacologic treatment is desired, clinicians and patients should select nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or skeletal muscle relaxants (moderate-quality evidence). (Grade: strong recommendation)
Recommendation 2:
For patients with chronic low back pain, clinicians and patients should initially select nonpharmacologic treatment with exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction (moderate-quality evidence), tai chi, yoga, motor control exercise, progressive relaxation, electromyography biofeedback, low-level laser therapy, operant therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or spinal manipulation (low-quality evidence). (Grade: strong recommendation)
Recommendation 3:
In patients with chronic low back pain who have had an inadequate response to nonpharmacologic therapy, clinicians and patients should consider pharmacologic treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as first-line therapy, or tramadol or duloxetine as second-line therapy. Clinicians should only consider opioids as an option in patients who have failed the aforementioned treatments and only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks for individual patients and after a discussion of known risks and realistic benefits with patients. (Grade: weak recommendation, moderate-quality evidence)
If you are suffering from pain, injury, or weakness why suffer a moment longer? We can help. Give us a call at 804 320-2220 today!
THRIVE PT is a specialized manually based orthopedic, spine, and sports physical therapy practice that provides individualized care to its patients. All of our therapists have specialty training, advanced certifications in orthopedic manual therapy, and extensive post graduate course work, and are highly qualified to help you reach your therapy goals. Our methods include hands-on corrective treatment, movement training, dry needling, and therapeutic exercise provided exclusively by your therapist. Our objective is to teach you how to move efficiently and painlessly and to educate you on how to stay healthy. We can help you achieve your goals to lead a healthy, active life--in a word, THRIVE!
