Treating Chronic Back Pain: What Works Best?

The cause of most back pain remains a mystery. Equally mysterious is the best way to treat this problem. Physical therapists (PTs) in England compared two types of rehab programs for patients with back pain lsting three or more months. This study reports the results of these two PT interventions.

Both groups had eight treatments lasting one hour each over eight weeks. Group one worked directly with the PT one-on-one. They received 30 minutes of manual therapy with mobilizations to the spine. Mobilization is a hands-on joint treatment applied by the therapist. Each patient also did special exercises to stabilize the spine.

Group two worked in groups with up to 10 patients in each group. Three PTs led the groups in a series of exercises set up at 10 stations. The stations included manual therapy, aerobic exercise, and spinal stabilization exercises.

The bottom line was that both groups got better (less disability, more movement) but the group therapy cost less (40 percent less). The authors conclude more study is needed to find the best treatment for back pain patients. Group therapy would save money that could be used for other programs.