Some lower back pain unlikely to harm long-term

Common physical activities such as lifting, bending, twisting, pushing and pulling may increase the likelihood of short-term lower back pain, but are not associated with long-term disability, according to new research.

According to an academic paper published in JAMA Network Open, an international study followed 416 adults with lower back pain who had recently sought care at outpatient clinics across the United States in its Veterans Affairs health system. Participants were monitored between March 2021 and September 2023 and completed nearly 10,000 surveys reporting their daily activities and back pain symptoms.

Researchers examined 10 common movements and postures, those being lifting, bending, pushing or pulling, twisting, squatting, crawling, climbing, sitting, standing and walking, to assess whether they were linked to short-term pain flares within 24 hours and then also to functional limitations one year later.

The study found that people who spent more time lifting objects heavier than 4.5 kilograms, as well as bending, pushing or pulling, twisting and squatting, were associated with a higher risk of a temporary flare-up of lower back pain. Each additional hour spent performing these activities was linked to a small but statistically significant increase in flare risk.

In contrast, sitting was associated with a lower risk of short-term pain flares. Other activities, including standing and walking, were not significantly linked to increased short-term pain.

However, none of the activities studied were associated with worse functional outcomes or longer-term disability related to lower back pain at the one-year follow-up point. Participants who spent more time performing these movements did not experience better or worse long-term outcomes than those who did less.

The study’s authors said the findings suggest that while some everyday activities may temporarily worsen symptoms, they don’t appear to cause lasting harm. The results support guidance that people with lower back pain can generally continue normal physical activities, with the understanding that short-term discomfort does not necessarily indicate longer-term damage.

Despite the findings from the focus group, lower back pain remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, and concerns about reinjury or worsening symptoms often lead people to avoid movement. The researchers noted that their findings may help reassure patients and clinicians that common activities are unlikely to influence long-term recovery, even if they sometimes trigger brief increases in pain.

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.