Exercise & Fitness

New Study on Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain

John at MyPHysicalTherapySpace points out an interesting new study on the effects of physical therapy on low back pain.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of physical therapy exercise sessions and advice vs. sham exercises and advice over a 12 month period for individuals with subacute low back pain (lasting longer than 6 weeks but less than 12 weeks).

Surprising results: "Exercise and advice were each slightly more effective than placebo at 6 weeks but not at 12 months".

Posted by: Stephanie

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Subject: I would not be too quick to

I would not be too quick to come to any conclusions from this study. We already know that something like 90% of new cases of low back pain self-resolve. It's the other 10% (or whatever the number is) that become chronic that create all the mystery (and misery). And, any good back doctor knows that even if an injury did not heal properly, you most likely would not even know it until years later (vs 12 months). So, give the PT's a break. They do great work. How about doing a study of patients after a terrible accident. Half get PT, half get sham. Check them after a year. Heck, check the patients in this study in five or ten years. I bet the ones that had PT fair better.
Dr Eben Davis
June 12th, 2007

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