Mechanical Low Back Pain: Nonoperative Management

Lower-back pain is common and typically improves without intervention. A focused history and physical examination is necessary to exclude serious underlying conditions. Analgesics (acetaminophen and NSAIDs) are recommended for patients seeking relief from pain. Signs of poor prognosis include psychosocial and work-related factors. When chronic back pain develops the range of non-operative treatments for consideration include pharmacology, manual therapies, exercise, massage, acupuncture, yoga, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation.