Non-surgical Approaches in the Treatment of Lower Back Pain: A Review of Methods, Efficacy, and Safety
Low back pain (LBP) is among the most common musculoskeletal disorders globally, representing a leading cause of disability and healthcare expenditure. Its prevalence is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades, emphasizing the need for effective, evidence-based treatment strategi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/61483 |
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| author | Tomasz Karol Książek Aleksandra Szeliga Piotr Mikołaj Dembicki Anna Ewelina Francuziak Kinga Kozłowska Maciej Borowski Natalia Dzieszko Michał Szczepański Weronika Kalinowska Paulina Sara Kulasza |
| author_facet | Tomasz Karol Książek Aleksandra Szeliga Piotr Mikołaj Dembicki Anna Ewelina Francuziak Kinga Kozłowska Maciej Borowski Natalia Dzieszko Michał Szczepański Weronika Kalinowska Paulina Sara Kulasza |
| author_sort | Tomasz Karol Książek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Low back pain (LBP) is among the most common musculoskeletal disorders globally, representing a leading cause of disability and healthcare expenditure. Its prevalence is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades, emphasizing the need for effective, evidence-based treatment strategies. This narrative review explores non-surgical approaches to LBP management, focusing on pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. It discusses the classification, pathophysiology, and red flag symptoms, alongside an evaluation of conservative treatments including NSAIDs, acetaminophen, muscle relaxants, opioids, antidepressants, physical therapy, acupuncture, spinal manipulation, and psychosocial interventions. The findings indicate that NSAIDs offer modest short-term relief and remain first-line pharmacological agents, while acetaminophen has limited efficacy. Muscle relaxants may benefit acute cases but carry notable side effects, particularly in older adults. Opioids, though effective in the short term, show minimal long-term benefit and a high risk of dependence. Non-pharmacological treatments—especially exercise therapy, manual therapy, and cognitive-behavioral interventions—demonstrate consistent efficacy in reducing pain and improving function. In conclusion, optimal management of LBP necessitates an individualized, multimodal approach that integrates pharmacological options with physical and psychological strategies to minimize harm, enhance function, and address biopsychosocial contributors to pain.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fdcedda076174d2d88efeec4c2540ed9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-fdcedda076174d2d88efeec4c2540ed92025-08-20T03:30:39ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-07-014310.12775/QS.2025.43.61483Non-surgical Approaches in the Treatment of Lower Back Pain: A Review of Methods, Efficacy, and SafetyTomasz Karol Książek0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9852-1434Aleksandra Szeliga1https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1832-5569Piotr Mikołaj Dembicki https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0709-9220Anna Ewelina Francuziak2https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9810-7758Kinga Kozłowska 3https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6541-207XMaciej Borowski4https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4185-2199Natalia Dzieszko 5https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8743-6590Michał Szczepański6https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4828-6709Weronika Kalinowska7https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4630-467XPaulina Sara Kulasza8https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5829-6721University Clinical Hospital of BialystokUniwersytet Medyczny w BiałymstokuSzpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie Wojewódzki Szpital Podkarpacki im.Jana Pawła II w KrośnieUniversity Clinical Hospital of BiałystokWojewódzki Szpital Zespolony im. Jędrzeja Śniadeckiego w BiałymstokuWojewódzki Szpital Zespolony im. Jędrzeja Śniadeckiego w BiałymstokuWojewódzki Szpital Zespolony im. Jędrzeja Śniadeckiego w BiałymstokuWojewódzki Szpital Zespolony im. Jędrzeja Śniadeckiego w Białymstoku Low back pain (LBP) is among the most common musculoskeletal disorders globally, representing a leading cause of disability and healthcare expenditure. Its prevalence is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades, emphasizing the need for effective, evidence-based treatment strategies. This narrative review explores non-surgical approaches to LBP management, focusing on pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. It discusses the classification, pathophysiology, and red flag symptoms, alongside an evaluation of conservative treatments including NSAIDs, acetaminophen, muscle relaxants, opioids, antidepressants, physical therapy, acupuncture, spinal manipulation, and psychosocial interventions. The findings indicate that NSAIDs offer modest short-term relief and remain first-line pharmacological agents, while acetaminophen has limited efficacy. Muscle relaxants may benefit acute cases but carry notable side effects, particularly in older adults. Opioids, though effective in the short term, show minimal long-term benefit and a high risk of dependence. Non-pharmacological treatments—especially exercise therapy, manual therapy, and cognitive-behavioral interventions—demonstrate consistent efficacy in reducing pain and improving function. In conclusion, optimal management of LBP necessitates an individualized, multimodal approach that integrates pharmacological options with physical and psychological strategies to minimize harm, enhance function, and address biopsychosocial contributors to pain. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/61483back painLBPnon-pharmacological interventionspharmacological treatmentefficacySafety |
| spellingShingle | Tomasz Karol Książek Aleksandra Szeliga Piotr Mikołaj Dembicki Anna Ewelina Francuziak Kinga Kozłowska Maciej Borowski Natalia Dzieszko Michał Szczepański Weronika Kalinowska Paulina Sara Kulasza Non-surgical Approaches in the Treatment of Lower Back Pain: A Review of Methods, Efficacy, and Safety Quality in Sport back pain LBP non-pharmacological interventions pharmacological treatment efficacy Safety |
| title | Non-surgical Approaches in the Treatment of Lower Back Pain: A Review of Methods, Efficacy, and Safety |
| title_full | Non-surgical Approaches in the Treatment of Lower Back Pain: A Review of Methods, Efficacy, and Safety |
| title_fullStr | Non-surgical Approaches in the Treatment of Lower Back Pain: A Review of Methods, Efficacy, and Safety |
| title_full_unstemmed | Non-surgical Approaches in the Treatment of Lower Back Pain: A Review of Methods, Efficacy, and Safety |
| title_short | Non-surgical Approaches in the Treatment of Lower Back Pain: A Review of Methods, Efficacy, and Safety |
| title_sort | non surgical approaches in the treatment of lower back pain a review of methods efficacy and safety |
| topic | back pain LBP non-pharmacological interventions pharmacological treatment efficacy Safety |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/61483 |
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