Conservative treatment of low back pain. A narrative review

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent condition that affects individuals across various age groups and occupations, often leading to significant disability and economic burden. Despite its widespread occurrence, effective management strategies remain diverse and sometimes contentious. Conservative treatment approaches are typically recommended as first-line interventions due to their non-invasive nature and potential to alleviate symptoms without the risks associated with surgical procedures. This narrative review aims to summarize current evidence and best practices in the conservative management of low back pain, highlighting key interventions, their effectiveness, and recommendations for clinical practice. A comprehensive review of literature was conducted, focusing on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and clinical guidelines published in the past decade. Key conservative treatment modalities reviewed include physical therapy, exercise therapy, manual therapy, pharmacological treatments, psychological interventions, and lifestyle modifications. Conservative treatment remains the cornerstone of low back pain management, emphasizing a holistic, patient-centered approach. Integrating various modalities tailored to individual patient needs can enhance outcomes and reduce the reliance on invasive procedures. Future research should focus on optimizing these interventions and exploring the synergistic effects of multi-modal treatment strategies.