Study Finds 90% of Non-Surgical Back Pain Treatments Lack Effectiveness

Comprehensive review reveals only modest benefits for a small subset of therapies, highlighting the need for better research and treatment approaches.

A global review of 301 trials covering 56 treatments found that only 10% of non-surgical and non-interventional therapies for lower back pain are effective.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the only treatment with moderate evidence of efficacy for acute back pain.
Five treatments—exercise, spinal manipulation, taping, antidepressants, and TRPV1 agonists—showed limited effectiveness for chronic back pain, offering only small reductions in pain.
Most other treatments, including acupuncture, muscle relaxants, and massage, lacked conclusive evidence to confirm their effectiveness.
Researchers emphasize the need for high-quality, placebo-controlled trials to address gaps in evidence and improve treatment outcomes for this leading global cause of disability.