Summary of Common Recommendations for Treatment of Low back pain |
Acute or Subacute Pain |
* Reassure patients (favourable prognosis). |
* Advise to stay active. |
* Prescribe medication if necessary (preferably time-contingent): first line is paracetamol; second line is nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, consider muscle relaxants, opioids or antidepressant and anticonvulsive medication (as co-medication for pain relief). |
* Discourage bed rest. |
* Do not advise a supervised exercise programme. |
Chronic Pain |
* Discourage use of modalities (such as ultrasound, electrotherapy) |
* Short-term use of medication/manipulation |
* Supervised exercise therapy |
* Cognitive behavioural therapy |
* Multidisciplinary treatment |