A common question that comes up when dealing with pain or loss of function is “is there something I should be doing to make this better” or “is there anything I should NOT be doing”. It can be difficult to feel out of control of what is happening in the body and to be without answers. These questions also drive pain research. In June of 2022 a study was published in which the researchers reviewed what the best exercise options were for chronic low back pain. The findings support Physical Therapy intervention and emphasize why it is that movement matters.

A research team in Spain conducted a systematic review of research to inspect if there was a best option for exercise to reduce pain and disability in people with chronic low back pain. After looking at 118 studies to conduct direct and indirect comparisons, they found that compared to no exercise intervention at all, anything was better than nothing. More specifically to their question, they found that the best exercise intervention to improve pain and disability was Pilates, with a 93% likelihood to reduce pain and a 98% likelihood to reduce disability. The other effective interventions to reduce pain were mind-body, and core-based exercises. Other effective exercise programs for reducing disability were strength-based and core-based.

Physical Therapy promotes healing with movement. Even if movement begins small at first, the road to recovery is lined with milestones of movement. Our Physical Therapists at Whole Body Health promote recovery with exercise prescriptions based on mind-body awareness core muscle group strengthening. Prescribed exercises are individualized to each client so that they can be completed even with busy work schedules because without movement,t the healing process is incomplete and unsatisfactory. Talk to our team if you would like more information about how our Physical Therapists use the support of evidence and research to promote recovery of function and reduction in pain.

Have more questions? Contact us!