Treating low back pain
Treatment for low back pain varies. If your symptoms get worse or the pain continues after two weeks, you should see your GP, chiropractor, osteopath, or physiotherapist.
Do I need any tests?
Usually not. Your health professional will usually be able to diagnose nonspecific low back pain from your description of the pain, and by examining you. If you have nonspecific low back pain, you are unlikely to need tests such as X-rays and scans within the first few weeks.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by Canterbury Initiative low back pain workgroup. Last reviewed March 2017.
Sources
The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public.
ACC – Non-specific acute low back pain, part 3 – return to work (http://www.acc.co.nz/PRD_EXT_CSMP/groups/external_providers/documents/guide/prd_ctrb113162.pdf), retrieved March 2017
Bell J.A., & Burnett A. (2009). Exercise for the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of low back pain in the workplace: a systematic review. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 19:8-24. DOI: 10.1007/s10926-009-9164-5
Choi B.K.L., Verbeek J.H., Tam Wai-San, Jiang J.Y. (2010) Exercises for prevention of recurrences of low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD006555. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006555.pub2
Christiansen D., Larsen K., Kudsk J.O., Vinther N.C. Pain responses in repeated end-range spinal movements and psychological factors in sick-listed patients with low back pain: is there an association? J Rehabil Med 2009; 41: 545-49.
Wong J.J., Coté P., Sutton D.A. et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the noninvasive management of low back pain: A systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. Eur J Pain 2016; 21: 201-16.
Hides J., Jull G., Richardson C. Long-term effects of specific stabilizing exercises for first-episode low back pain. Spine 2001; 11: e243-e248
Larsen K., Weidick F., & Leboeuf-Yde C. (2002) Can passive prone extensions of the back prevent back problems? Spine. 27(24):2747-52
Martimo et al (2008) Effect of training and lifting equipment for preventing back pain in lifting and handling: systematic review. British Medical Journal published online 31 Jan 2008; doi:10.1136/bmj.39463.418380.BE
Muller et al (1999) The influence of previous low back trouble, general health, and working conditions on future sick-listing because of low back trouble. Spine. 24(15):1562-1570
Roffey D.M., Wai E.K., Bishop P., Kwon B.K., Dagenais S. Causal assessment of occupational sitting and low back pain: results of a systematic review. Spine J 2010; 10: 252-261
Stanton T.R. et al (2008). After an episode of acute low back pain, recurrence is unpredictable and not as common as previously thought. Spine . 33(26):2923-2928
Williams M.M. & Grant R.N. A comparison of low back and referred pain responses to end range lumbar movement and position. 1992
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Review key: HILBP-103167
