Acute Low Back Pain

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Books to reference

• Bonicas CHAPTER 72 Acute Low Back Pain¹
• Bonicas CHAPTER 74 Surgery for Low Back Pain¹

Resources

• Acute & Chronic LBP CPG - George et al.²

Types

Acute low back pain

Acute low back pain is defined as pain lasting less than 6 weeks.

Acute Low Back Pain + Leg pain

DDX

• Herniations²

Exercises

Goal: reduce pain & disability² - Specific trunk mm [Grade B]² - Endurance & mm strengthening [Grade B]² - Supine iso back extension and ab exercises → greater reduction of pain² - Herniations: general vs specific exercises, no diff at 3 month BUT at 1 year: specific trunk mm activation had greater improvement in back pain and disability².

Centralization & Directional preference exercises

• Grade A²
• Repeated movements, exercises, or procedures to promote centralization to reduce symptoms²

References

1.

Ballantyne J, Fishman S, Rathmell JP, eds. Bonica’s Management of Pain. 5th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2019.

2.

George SZ, Fritz JM, Silfies SP, et al. Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Revision 2021: Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health From the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2021;51(11):CPG1-CPG60. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0304