Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a physiotherapist. The good news is that most episodes improve, and the treatments with the best evidence are ones you can start yourself.
What the evidence supports
- Stay active. Gentle movement and a gradual return to normal activity are recommended over long periods of bed rest.
- Exercise. A 2021 Cochrane review of 99 studies found that structured exercise reduced pain and improved function in people with long-lasting low back pain, compared with no treatment or usual care.
- Understand your pain. Learning what is, and is not, serious helps people move with more confidence.
- Be cautious with scans, medicines and surgery. International guidelines advise using them selectively, because most back pain does not need them.
What a physiotherapist adds
A proper assessment looks for what is driving your pain, so your plan fits you: the right exercises, hands-on treatment where it helps, and advice on getting back to work, sport and daily life.
See a doctor urgently if you notice
- New numbness or weakness in the legs
- Difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
- Fever or unexplained weight loss with back pain
- Severe pain after a fall or accident
This article is general information and does not replace an assessment by a qualified clinician.
Read more about our back, neck and spine physiotherapy in Karachi and our chronic pain management.
Have pain that keeps coming back? Book an assessment at Zaki Clinic on WhatsApp or call (0323) 281-7359.