A team of international researchers found that exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and multidisciplinary care could reduce chronic low back pain and disability for one year or longer. Although these treatments have at least a moderate level of certainty, about 68% of the studies have a high risk of
Whether it’s cardio or strength training, exercise has been shown to have moderate short-term to long-term effects for chronic low back pain. (Photo by Airman First Class John D. Partlow)Key takeaways Chronic low back pain stems from multiple causes, including biological, psychological, societal, and environmental factors. The current body of
Key takeaways University of Sydney researchers found one treatment (NSAIDs) to be effective at moderate-level certainty for acute low back pain Five treatments (exercise, spinal manipulation, taping, antidepressants, TRPV1 agonists) with statistically significant but small effects for chronic low back pain. All were compared to placebo. Some common treatments—like paracetamol,
A group of British, Australian, and Finnish researchers identified eight clinical trials that skew the results of 32 systematic reviews and 10 clinical practical guidelines for spinal pain, according to their study published in The Journal of Pain in 2023. These trials examine cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or physical therapy for
A group of European, Australian, and U.S. researchers identified several factors that reduce the trustworthiness of pain research, according to a review published in The Journal of Pain in 2025. These factors include: Failure to meet current standards of governance and integrity Undeclared or poorly managed conflicts of interest Unethical
Most chronic pain explanations are often attributed to biomechanics, physiological factors or both. Not surprisingly, most treatments are often based on these reasons, such as surgery, medications, posture correction, and joint manipulation. However, a group of researchers—led by Dr. Lene Vase from Aarhus University in Denmark—highlighted core principles of psychological
A team of researchers from Australia, Brazil, and the U.K. recommended several changes to the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines for low back pain and sciatica because some of the guidelines “are not in line with the most recent evidence.” According to their editorial published in
Jason is a 47-year-old man who loves to work around the house. If there’s grass to be cut, gutters to be cleaned, or Christmas decorations to be hung, he’s your guy. His lawn is the envy of his neighbors, and he beams at his twinkling lights, but the next morning
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) describe a group of connective tissue diseases or disorders that affect the body in many ways. It’s often associated with joints that move beyond normal range of motion to the point of potential subluxation or dislocation. EDS has a genetic component that changes the structure and function