The American College of Physicians has released new guidelines for how physicians should treat lower back pain.

In the Article published in the Annals of Internal Medicine new guidelines based on randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews offered some non-traditional key points.

1. The evidence-based clinical practice guideline, “Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain,” recommends treatment of acute or subacute low back pain with non-drug therapies.

• Some of these non-drug therapies include: Physical Therapy, Active Release Technique, IASTM, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, massage, etc.

2. The American College of Physicians suggests patients with chronic low back pain first try non-drug therapy with exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction, tai chi, yoga, motor control exercise, progressive relaxation, electromyography biofeedback, low level laser therapy, operant therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy or spinal manipulation.

3. Those chronic low back pain patients who have experienced no response to non-drug therapies should then take NSAIDs first, and then tramadol or duloxetine as second line therapy.

“Physicians should consider opioids as a last option for treatment and only in patients who have failed other therapies, as they are associated with substantial harms, including the risk of addiction or accidental overdose,” said Nitin S. Damle, MD, MS, MACP, president, American College of Physicians.

So if you are dealing with an acute, sub-acute or chronic lower back pain and are looking for a new treatment approach, please give the office of Integrative Health Solution a call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Boaz, Doctor of Physical Therapy. 858-254-5433

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/acop-aco020717.php
• http://www.beckersspine.com/spine/item/35340-american-college-of-physicians-releases-new-guidelines-for-treating-low-back-pain-5-key-points.html