New study reveals only 10 per cent of common low back pain treatments are effective

Low back pain is a common condition that can make even the smallest physical movement difficult, severely affecting both quality of life and mental health. It is estimated that nearly 620 million people live with low back pain, making it the single leading cause of disability worldwide.

Given the scale of the issue, it’s crucial to have access to affordable and effective pain relief options. However, a group of researchers warns that only one in ten commonly used pain treatments are truly effective, with many providing little more than a placebo effect.

Researchers from several global institutions sought to examine common pain relief treatments for low back pain, especially since 90 per cent of cases are classified as non-specific (when no specific disease or structural cause can be identified). With an ageing global population, low back pain is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue.

Lead researcher, Dr Aidan Cashin, from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney said this means most people who suffer from low back pain are reaching for painkillers and massages before they are referred to a specialist for treatment.

“The majority of pain in this space is classified as non-specific, that is with no immediately identifiable cause,” Dr Cashin said.

“Non-surgical and non-interventional treatments are first-line care for low back, so we wanted to see how effective these are, compared with placebo.

“Surprisingly, we found only around one in 10 was effective and most provided pain relief that was only marginally better than placebo – in other words, our review did not find reliable evidence of large effects for any of the included treatments.”

The research team reviewed 301 trials that provided data on 56 different treatments or treatment combinations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants, but also non-pharmacological methods, like exercise and massage.

Participants in the trials lived with varied forms of low back pain, such as acute low back pain, chronic low back pain, while some had both types.

Although the study found some methods provided pain relief, Dr Cashin said the effects were minor.

“We found for acute low back pain, NSAIDs may be effective. For chronic low back pain, exercise, spinal manipulation, taping, antidepressants and TRPV1 agonists may be effective,” Dr Cashin said.

“However, those effects were small.”

Additionally, the research team found that some of the trials were not reliable, so evidence was inconclusive for 10 non-pharmacological and 10 pharmacological treatments for acute low back pain.

The study found that evidence was also inconclusive for a wide range of 22 non-pharmacological treatments.

According to Dr Cashin, more research on pain relief was urgently needed as the evidence was inconclusive for many treatments.

“We need further high-quality, placebo-controlled trials to understand the efficacy of treatments and remove the uncertainty for both patients and clinical teams,” Dr Cashin said.

While these findings may be disappointing for those living with low back pain, there are alternative approaches that may help alleviate discomfort and improve quality of life.

Experts have long maintained that certain sleeping positions can lead to aches, pains, and even chronic health issues over time and now a posture expert has disclosed the sleeping position deemed as the most detrimental to one’s body, stating that it can cause more harm than good.

According to James Leinhardt, it’s best to avoid sleeping on your stomach due to the potential for muscle strain in the back and spine, which can result in ongoing discomfort.

Leinhardt showcased the problematic position in a TikTok video, shedding light on the potential issues that may arise.

“This is literally the worst ever sleeping position,” he explained.

“You’re rotating your neck, you’re twisting it, you’re putting your head up, you’re fighting all the natural curves of your spine, you’re compressing your vertebrae, you’re getting pins and needles, neck and back pain.

“And you still do it every night, why? It’s not comfy, it’s just what you’re familiar with. It’s just what your body’s used to. Does this look comfy to you?”

Watch on TikTok

Leinhardt presented a simple and hassle-free alternative in a subsequent video, which he claimed would reduce discomfort.

“First of all, you want a pillow between the tip of your ear and the tip of your shoulder,” he said.

“The second thing you’re going to do is put a pillow between your knees and ankles that’s going to support and stabilise this hip and keep you feeling safer and you’re less likely to bring that leg over.

“You’re going to de-weight that top shoulder, hug it and again you’re more stable and less likely to roll over.

“Try this for 30 minutes tonight. If you don’t like it, if it doesn’t work out, go back to that car crash of a sleeping position and start again tomorrow.

“This is absolutely easy for you to achieve, just try it.”

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.