Physiotherapy Modalities used in the Management of Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a costly andcommon medical problem accounting for 75-90% of compensationcosts as a result of repeated treatments, long term work absenteeismand social support-unemployment compensation. Physiotherapytreatment modalities are commonly used in the management ofCLBP. Data on the management of CLBP by physiotherapists inlow income countries are scarce.A cross-sectional survey was used to investigate the managementof CLBP by physiotherapists in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN). Theobjectives of the study were to establish: the commonly used physiotherapymodalities; reasons; and the evidence base used for their choice. Six hundred and eighty-five self-administeredquestionnaires were posted to all registered physiotherapists in KZN.Of 213 returned questionnaires, 141 (20.6%) met the inclusion criteria as they managed patients with CLBP.General exercises (30%); spinal mobilisation (28%); myofascial release (18%), education (12%) and training oflocal stabilisers(12%) were the commonly used treatment modalities. Key reasons for the selection of the treatmentmodalities were undergraduate education received; own clinical experience and the attendance of postgraduate courses/physiotherapy conferences.From the reasons specified for the selection of treatment modalities, the use of written current available literaturethrough reading of journal articles was sparsely utilized.