Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Back Pain Fixes? Study Says Most Non-Surgical Treatments Are Useless

wikitree Views  

A new study suggests that most non-surgical treatments for lower back pain—ranging from medications to physical therapy—may not be as effective as previously thought.

Back Pain’s Widespread Impact

Lower back pain is a common issue that can seriously disrupt daily life. When patients seek treatment, they’re often prescribed non-surgical options such as medication, physical therapy, and injections. In more severe cases, surgery might be recommended.

However, a recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Evidence-Based Medicine casts doubt on the effectiveness of these non-invasive treatments. The findings suggest that most approaches, aside from surgical and more invasive procedures like spinal injections and nerve stimulation, offer limited relief.

shisu_ka-shutterstock.com
shisu_ka-shutterstock.com

The Study’s Findings

Researchers analyzed data from 52 cases of acute low back pain, 228 cases of chronic low back pain, and 21 cases involving both types. Pain intensity was measured using visual analog and numerical rating scales.

Of the 69 different treatment comparisons evaluated, the evidence was classified using the GRADE system:

  • 16% showed “moderate certainty” of effectiveness
  • 36% showed “low certainty”
  • 48% showed “very low certainty”

In other words, nearly half of the treatments lacked strong scientific backing.

Orathai Mayoeh-shutterstock.com
Orathai Mayoeh-shutterstock.com

What Worked—and What Didn’t

For chronic lower back pain, treatments like exercise, spinal manual therapy, and certain medications targeting pain receptors (TRPV1) showed some moderate effectiveness.

For acute back pain, evidence with moderate certainty suggested that exercise, steroid injections, and acetaminophen (Tylenol) were largely ineffective. Similarly, for chronic pain, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and antibiotics showed little to no benefit.

More Research Needed

The research team concluded that none of the treatments included in the study demonstrated consistent, reliable effectiveness. They stressed the need for larger, high-quality, placebo-controlled trials to determine the true value of non-surgical back pain treatments.

The findings suggest that while specific therapies may provide short-term relief, a more tailored, evidence-based approach may be necessary to manage chronic back pain effectively.

wikitree
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[LIFESTYLE] Latest Stories

  • Why Your Eyelid Keeps Twitching—and When to Worry
  • Silent Spreaders: How Measles Can Infect Before Symptoms Appear
  • Eat More Eggplant—It’s Good for Your Blood and Your Heart
  • Want to Burn More Fat? Try a 30-Second Cold Shower, Experts Say
  • Bats, Fruit, and a Deadly Virus—Why Korea’s Health Officials Are on High Alert
  • Why You Crave Junk Food When You’re Sad—And What to Eat Instead

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Trump Claims Epstein 'Stole' Young Women from Mar-a-Lago Spa

    LATEST 

  • 2
    Say Hello to Your New Beauty Buddy: AI-Powered Kiosks Hit GS25 Stores!

    LATEST 

  • 3
    New Task Force Takes Aim at Stock Manipulators: A Game Changer for Investors!

    LATEST 

  • 4
    COP30 Chaos: Will Brazil's Soaring Hotel Prices Keep Poor Nations Out of Climate Talks?

    LATEST 

  • 5
    Is Tesla Behind LG Energy's Massive Battery Supply Contract?

    LATEST 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Taiwan's President Delays Trip to the Americas Amid Typhoon Chaos

    LATEST&nbsp

  • 2
    Hydroleap Secures $4.75 Million to Revolutionize Water Treatment in Asia!

    LATEST&nbsp

  • 3
    Enhypen's New Single 'Yoi' Soars to the Top, Selling Over 300,000 Copies on Day One!

    LATEST&nbsp

  • 4
    Chanyeol of EXO Set to Drop Solo Album This August – Here’s What We Know!

    LATEST&nbsp

  • 5
    Caught Between Borders: Texas Man's Harrowing Eight-Day Detention

    LATEST&nbsp

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Trump Claims Epstein 'Stole' Young Women from Mar-a-Lago Spa

    LATEST 

  • 2
    Say Hello to Your New Beauty Buddy: AI-Powered Kiosks Hit GS25 Stores!

    LATEST 

  • 3
    New Task Force Takes Aim at Stock Manipulators: A Game Changer for Investors!

    LATEST 

  • 4
    COP30 Chaos: Will Brazil's Soaring Hotel Prices Keep Poor Nations Out of Climate Talks?

    LATEST 

  • 5
    Is Tesla Behind LG Energy's Massive Battery Supply Contract?

    LATEST 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Taiwan's President Delays Trip to the Americas Amid Typhoon Chaos

    LATEST 

  • 2
    Hydroleap Secures $4.75 Million to Revolutionize Water Treatment in Asia!

    LATEST 

  • 3
    Enhypen's New Single 'Yoi' Soars to the Top, Selling Over 300,000 Copies on Day One!

    LATEST 

  • 4
    Chanyeol of EXO Set to Drop Solo Album This August – Here’s What We Know!

    LATEST 

  • 5
    Caught Between Borders: Texas Man's Harrowing Eight-Day Detention

    LATEST