Lower back pain (LBP) refers to any pain or discomfort in the area from the bottom of the ribs to the top of the buttocks. It’s very common, with 84% of adults experiencing LBP at some point. Of these, 5-15% will go on to develop chronic lower back pain (CLBP), which simply means the back lasts for more than 12 weeks.
When should I Return to Activity with Chronic Lower Back Pain?
When dealing with CLBP, the best approach to getting back to physical activity is a combination of physical and psychological treatment. In addition to physical therapy techniques like exercise and manual therapy, it’s very helpful to address mental health factors. These might include:
- Self-efficacy (belief in your ability to manage pain and function)
- Fear avoidance (avoiding movement due to fear of pain)
- Physical therapy (targeting weaknesses and improving movement)
- Gradual, pain-managed activity (like a walking plan)
- Mental health support (to address fear and self-belief) … is the most effective way to improve long-term outcomes. This approach helps you manage individual challenges and can reduce pain over time, making it easier to return to normal activities.
Research shows that including psychological support as part of your treatment can:
- Speed up your return to physical activity
- Reduce long-term disability
- Lower the intensity of pain over time
Without psychological support, patients often experience a slower recovery. If recommended by your healthcare provider, seeking mental health support alongside physical therapy can greatly improve your recovery process.
Why does Individualised Treatment help for for CLBP?
Everyone’s experience with chronic lower back pain is different. That’s why it’s important to have a personalised treatment plan that considers both physical and mental health. No single treatment works for everyone, so working with a healthcare professional to create a tailored plan will help you return to activity with less pain and better overall results.
If you are ready to start working toward regaining function, strength, confidence, and ability in your back, then connect with a physiotherapist to begin working toward your goals. Additionally, having an open mind to the impact of mental health on pain and return to activities is important.
Written by:
Ryan Michell,
Physiotherapist
Proactive Health & Movement
References:
- Alfalogy, E., et al. (2023). Chronic Low Back Pain: Prevalence, Impact on Quality of Life, and Predictors of Future Disability. Cureus.
- Mauck, M.C., et al. (2022). Evidence-based interventions to treat chronic low back pain: treatment selection for a personalized medicine approach. Pain Rep.
- Nicol, V., et al. (2023). Chronic Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review of Recent International Guidelines for Diagnosis and Conservative Treatment. J Clin Med.
