Physical activity to prevent recurrences of low back pain

Back pain is an important public health concern globally, with years lived with disability caused by low back pain increasing by more than 50% between 1990 and 2015 1 Hartvigsen J Hancock MJ Kongsted A et al. What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. Lancet. 2018; 391: 2356-2367 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2408) Google Scholar and estimated economic costs of US$2·2 billion. 2 Ferreira ML de Luca K Haile LM et al. Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain, 1990-2020, its attributable risk factors, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Rheumatol. 2023; 5: e316-e329 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (161) Google Scholar Setbacks or recurrences are common sequelae over the life course of non-specific low back pain, yet there exists relatively little guidance on prevention and reliable management. 3 da Silva T Mills K Brown BT Herbert RD Maher CG Hancock MJ Risk of recurrence of low back pain: a systematic review. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017; 47: 305-313 Crossref PubMed Scopus (105) Google Scholar , 4 WHOWHO guideline for non-surgical management of chronic primary low back pain in adults in primary and community care settings. https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789240081789Date: 2023 Date accessed: June 11, 2024 Google Scholar , 5 National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceLow back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng59Date: 2016 Date accessed: June 11, 2024 Google Scholar Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an individualised, progressive walking and education intervention for the prevention of low back pain recurrence in Australia (WalkBack): a randomised controlled trialAn individualised, progressive walking and education intervention significantly reduced low back pain recurrence. This accessible, scalable, and safe intervention could affect how low back pain is managed. Full-Text PDF Open Access