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Back pain

Back pain is a common medical condition among older adults. Episodes may be acute or chronic. Spine health is one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor. Learn more about back pain causes, treatment and symptom relief.

Back pain? Try exercise!

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3 research-based benefits of yoga for healthy aging

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42 Show All 7Blog Posts 18Evidence Summaries 17Web Resource Ratings 5Patient Decision Aids

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Evidence Summary

Yoga for chronic non-specific low back pain.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2022)
Evidence Summary

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for acute low back pain.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2020)
Web Resource Rating

Several non-invasive treatments work for neck pain
Institute for Work & Health

Educational videos, exercise, and neck mobilization were more beneficial for treating neck pain or whip lash than ultrasound or electrical stimulation. Laser therapy, exercise and massage or acupuncture may help with chronic pain. Hard or soft collars did not work.
Web Resource Rating

Some herbal drugs may ease back pain in short term
Institute for Work & Health

Some alternative herbal medicines may help to relieve back pain. Devil's Claw, Willow Bark and cayenne may help reduce pain in the short term. However, there is no evidence that these substances are safe or useful in the long-term.
Evidence Summary

In people with a herniated disc in the lower back, low-quality evidence suggests surgery may reduce pain and improve function in the short term
Clin Rehabil (2017)
Evidence Summary

In adults with acute low back pain, spinal manipulation improves pain and function by a small amount in the short term
JAMA (2017)
Evidence Summary

In people with acute or chronic low back pain, some non-drug treatments can provide small to moderate improvement in pain and functioning
Ann Intern Med (2017)
Evidence Summary

In people with acute or chronic low back pain that has not responded to non-drug treatments, medications can provide small to moderate improvement in pain and functioning
Ann Intern Med (2017)
Evidence Summary

Yoga treatment for chronic non-specific low back pain.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for sciatica.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Web Resource Rating

Patient education: Axial spondyloarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis (Beyond the Basics)
UpToDate - patient information

Spondyloarthritis refers to a collection of diseases related to arthritis. Back pain is a common characteristic of these diseases. This resource introduces symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and treatment of spondyloarthritis.
Evidence Summary

Paracetamol for low back pain.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Herbal medicine for low-back pain.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
Evidence Summary

In people with chronic low back pain, selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Web Resource Rating

Patient education: Low back pain in adults (Beyond the Basics)
UpToDate - patient information

Low back pain is one of the most common disorders and often people recover quickly. Treatment includes exercise, heat, pain medication, or acupuncture. Read more here about when to seek help.
Evidence Summary

In people with radicular low back pain or spinal stenosis, epidural corticosteroid injections do not improve pain or function
Ann Intern Med (2015)
Evidence Summary

Exercise programs that focus on coordination/stabilization or strength/resistance can improve chronic low back pain
Clin Rehabil (2015)
Evidence Summary

Therapeutic ultrasound for chronic low-back pain.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
Evidence Summary

Yoga reduces pain and disability at up to 1 year in people with low back pain
Clin J Pain (2013)
Evidence Summary

Epidural corticosteroid injections have a small, short-term benefit for leg pain and disability in patients with sciatica
Ann Intern Med (2012)
Evidence Summary

Acupuncture for chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2020)
Patient Decision Aid

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps patients with lumbar spinal stenosis decide on whether or not to have surgery by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options. It also includes alternative options to surgery such as trying medicine, exercise, and/or physical therapy.
Patient Decision Aid

Lumbar Herniated Disc: Should I Have Surgery?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with a herniated disc in their low back decide on whether or not to get surgery by comparing the benefits, risks and side effects of both options. It also includes alternative treatment options to surgery such as medication, exercise, physical therapy, or steroid injections.
Patient Decision Aid

Low Back Pain: Should I Have Spinal Manipulation?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with lumbar spine pain decide on whether to have spinal manipulation for pain relief or use other treatments by comparing the benefits, risks and side effects of both options. Other treatment options include heat or ice, medicine, exercise, physical therapy, massage, mobilization, acupuncture, changing the way you do your activities, or getting cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Patient Decision Aid

Low Back Pain: Should I Try Epidural Steroid Shots?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with low back pain decide on whether or not to try epidural steroid shots by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options. Alternative options to injections include trying medicine, physical therapy, and home treatment.
Patient Decision Aid

Low Back Pain: Should I Have an MRI?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with acute low back pain decide on whether or not to have an MRI by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Can rehabilitation therapy help after surgery for a slipped disc?
Informed Health Online

Exercise programs after back surgery can help improve recovery and might also increase mobility.
Web Resource Rating

Muscle relaxants
Patient.co.uk

Muscle relaxants are used to help reduce or prevent muscle spasms and sometimes anxiety, insomnia or seizures. Only use them when prescribed by your doctor. Muscle relaxants have a number of side effects.
Web Resource Rating

5 Strengthening Exercises for Lower Back Pain
HealthLine

Some exercises may help to reduce low back pain and dysfunction. Try stretching exercises such as bridges, the drawing in maneuver, leg raises, supermans and partial curls. This resource details how to do each of these exercises.
Evidence Summary

Motor control exercise for acute non-specific low back pain.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Web Resource Rating

Slide show: Back exercises in 15 minutes a day
Mayo Clinic

This resource shows you a few basic exercises to stretch and strengthen your back and help prevent back pain.
Web Resource Rating

Back pain
Mayo Clinic

Exercise, maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking and practice proper lifting techniques to avoid back pain. See your doctor if you experience back pain that lasts for more than a few days. Resource includes information on back pain causes, tests, and treatments.
Web Resource Rating

Laser therapy evidence unclear for low-back pain
Institute for Work & Health

Studies show low-level laser therapy may help to lower back pain, but the effects were small and the reviewers do not recommend choosing this therapy over other beneficial treatments.
Web Resource Rating

Is traction effective in treating low-back pain?
Institute for Work & Health

Traction does not appear to be a useful treatment for lower back pain.
Web Resource Rating

Does chiropractic care for neck pain increase stroke risk?
Institute for Work & Health

A single study found that visiting the chiropractor does not increase your risk of a type of stroke called vertebrobasilar artery stroke.
Blog Post

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions and exercise: Getting on track with wearable activity trackers

We can all use a helping hand from time to time. Being more physically active is one area where some of us need that extra assistance and motivation. Wearable activity trackers may be a source of support for people living with a rheumatic and/or musculoskeletal disease who are looking to increase their activity levels.
Blog Post

What works best for relieving back pain?

Low back pain can be debilitating but it can be managed with non-drug therapies and medications if needed. What works best? Find out recommendations from recent research evidence.
Blog Post

3 research-based benefits of yoga for healthy aging

Want to age well? Consider making yoga part of your regular activities.
Blog Post

3 alternative options for pain relief

Alternative options for managing pain can bring relief without the risks associated with prescription drugs.
Blog Post

Back pain? Try exercise!

Low back pain can make getting through the day challenging enough without worrying about keeping up your exercise regimen. But before you throw in the (gym) towel, read the latest research about the best types of exercise for relieving back pain.
Blog Post

A pain in the neck! Does a specialized pillow really help?

Neck pain is a common and disabling health problem that can affect your daily function including sleep. Specialized pillows have been used to help but the recent evidence is limited.
Blog Post

Can yoga relieve the pain and disability associated with low back pain?

Studies have concluded that yoga is effective in reducing back pain and related disability, particularly in the short term.

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