Summary:
Context: Non-specific persistent low back pain is considered a multifactorial phenomenon and represents a major public health issue with a significant economic impact. International guidelines recommend prudent use of medication, imaging, and surgery, suggesting non-pharmacological therapies such as education, manual therapy, and exercise as the first-line treatment. Objective: This article reviews the literature about the practical application of therapeutic exercises such as general strengthening, aerobic, flexibility, and motor control exercises. Development: There is currently no consensus on the effectiveness of one type of exercise over another, and significant heterogeneity in the exercise protocols is evident in the literature. Thus, the appropriate form of exercise should be chosen according to the individual patient’s preferences and on the basis of the neurophysiological effects of exercise on pain and psychological factors associated with non-specific persistent low back pain. Discussion: Recent meta-analyses on the comparison of different exercises place Pilates as the leading exercise in the treatment of non-specific persistent low back pain. Conclusion: Regardless of exercise type, a progression adapted to the individual patient’s pain response, tiredness, and fears would facilitate reaching a frequency of three to five 30–60 min exercise sessions per week to increase the likelihood of recovery.
SWITCH edu-ID
Administration
