Study Finds Physical Therapy Provides Only Modest Benefits For Back Pain

In a new study it is found physical therapy does not benefit much in low back pain compared to the usual care. It offers just modest benefits as the discomfort usually subsidies by itself with time.



More than 200 people were studied between March 2011 and November 2013. They were randomly assigned either physical therapy or no therapy. It was found the therapy just produced a modest improvement in the ability to function after three months.

The therapy included exercise and back manipulation.

After a period of one year the researchers found no significant difference between the two groups. Also, after the periods of one year, three months and one year the patients reported no improvement in their pain.

Details of the study are published in the American Medical Association journal. It writes the patients who were given physical therapy saw some improvements in their function like moving, walking and lifting things after three months of treatment. However, the level of pain was same compared to those who were not given any treatment. After one year it was found there was no clinically proven difference between the two groups.

Professor of physical therapy at the University of Utah, Julie Fritz, said the best treatment is to stay active and do the regular exercises even through the painful period.

She added further the main goal should be to keep oneself moving to recover and the result can be achieved even without assistance.

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