Massage for low-back pain
Abstract Background Low-back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal problems in modern society. It is experienced by 70% to 80% of adults at some time in their lives. Massage therapy has the potential to minimize pain and speed return to normal function. Objectives To assess the effects of massage therapy […]
Pilates for low back pain
Abstract Background Non-specific low back pain is a major health problem worldwide. Interventions based on exercises have been the most commonly used treatments for patients with this condition. Over the past few years, the Pilates method has been one of the most popular exercise programmes used in clinical practice. Objectives To determine the effects of […]
Tapentadol for chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults
Abstract Background Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a prevalent condition and a major cause of disability and absence from the workplace worldwide. Opioids are frequently used to treat chronic pain, although adverse effects often restrict their long-term benefits. Tapentadol is an opioid and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor, which may cause a lower incidence (and severity) of adverse […]
Cognitive-behavioural treatment for subacute and chronic neck pain
Abstract Background Although research on non-surgical treatments for neck pain (NP) is progressing, there remains uncertainty about the efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for this population. Addressing cognitive and behavioural factors might reduce the clinical burden and the costs of NP in society. Objectives To assess the effects of CBT among individuals with subacute and […]
Muscle energy technique for non-specific low-back pain
Abstract Background Low-back pain (LBP) is responsible for considerable personal suffering due to pain and reduced function, as well as the societal burden due to costs of health care and lost work productivity. For the vast majority of people with LBP, no specific anatomical cause can be reliably identified. For these people with non-specific LBP […]
Exercises for mechanical neck disorders
Abstract Background Neck pain is common, disabling and costly. Exercise is one treatment approach. Objectives To assess the effectiveness of exercises to improve pain, disability, function, patient satisfaction, quality of life and global perceived effect in adults with neck pain. Search methods We searched MEDLINE, MANTIS, ClinicalTrials.gov and three other computerized databases up to between […]
Herbal medicine for low back pain
Abstract Background Low-back pain (LBP) is a common condition and imposes a substantial economic burden upon people living in industrialized societies. A large proportion of people with chronic LBP use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), visit CAM practitioners, or both. Several herbal medicines have been purported for use in treating people with LBP. This is […]
Therapeutic ultrasound for chronic low-back pain
Abstract Background Chronic non-specific low-back pain (LBP) has become one of the main causes of disability in the adult population around the world. Therapeutic ultrasound is frequently used by physiotherapists in the treatment of LBP and is one of the most widely used electro-physical agents in clinical practice. Objectives The objective of this review is […]
Rehabilitation after lumbar disc surgery
Abstract Background Several rehabilitation programmes are available for individuals after lumbar disc surgery. Objectives To determine whether active rehabilitation after lumbar disc surgery is more effective than no treatment, and to describe which type of active rehabilitation is most effective. This is the second update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2002. First, we […]
Rehabilitation following surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis
Abstract Background Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common cause of back pain that can also give rise to pain in the buttock, thigh or leg, particularly when walking. Several possible treatments are available, of which surgery appears to be best at restoring function and reducing pain. Surgical outcome is not ideal, and a sizeable proportion […]