Back pain treatments at a glance
Risk factors for chronic back pain:
Previous history of low back pain
Radiating leg pain
Signs of nerve root involvement
Vascular problems
Reduced straight leg raising
Reduced trunk muscle strength and endurance
Poor physical fitness
Heavy smoking
Low job satisfaction
Psychological distress, especially depressive symptoms
Heavy physical work at home or in job
Birth (or surgical procedure) under epidural anaesthesia
Most effective treatments:
Staying active
Spinal manipulation
Possibly effective treatments:
Acupuncture
Biofeedback
Group education
Hypnosis
Least effective treatments:
Bed rest
Routine analgesics
Antidepressants
Opioid analgesics
Traction
Transcutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation (TENS):
Corsets
Trigger point and ligament injections
Epidural injections