Exercise offers relief from back pain, study shows

More is better when it comes to alleviating lower back pain - more exercise, that is. Although many people who suffer from back pain don't exercise, fearing it will exacerbate the problem, a recent study found that exercising four days a week gave people greater relief from back pain than working out fewer times a week or not at all.

In the study, 120 people were randomly assigned to one of four groups for 12 weeks: One did a strength-training program two days a week, one did it three days a week and one did it four days a week. A control group did no exercise but participated in a two-week exercise familiarization program. Exercises in the program included bench presses and leg presses.

Those in the four-day-a-week program had the most reduction in pain - 28 percent - compared with 14 percent for those who exercised two days a week. The four-day group also reported having a better quality of life and less disability than those who exercised less.

In addition, it showed the greatest strength gains. The control group showed insignificant change in all areas. The study was presented recently at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Seattle.

- Los Angeles Times

Healthcare: On the agenda - Back pain helped by acupuncture

Patients with persistent lower back pain should be offered acupuncture, according to new guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The guidelines cover those who have been in pain longer than six weeks but less than one year.

Why is this significant?

It is the first time NICE has backed widespread use of 'alternative' therapies. For the first time there is a consistent national approach to managing lower back pain. The rationing watchdog said alternative therapies would be cost-effective if doctors stopped providing less proven back services such as X-rays.

What does NICE suggest?

The guidelines suggest that in addition to painkillers and advice to stay active, patients can opt for complementary treatments. These include up to eight exercise sessions or ten sessions of acupuncture; or manual therapy, which includes spinal manipulation, mobilisation or massage.

Media coverage

The story was picked up by most of the national press including The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Mail, which ran with the headline: 'Six-week wait for back treatment'. It was also covered by BBC Breakfast, Channel 4 and Five news and the BBC Health website.

PR support

The press release was issued under embargo to all national media outlets, including medical and specialist press. It was sent by NICE's internal PR team, led by external communications manager Tonya Gillis. An embargoed press conference was held earlier in the week.

33% of adults in the UK suffer from back pain each year

2.5m people seek help from their GP for back pain.

PR Week