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Back School for Low Back Pain
A back school is an educational program that teaches you practical information about back care, posture, body mechanics, back exercises, and how to prevent long-term back problems. Going to a back school gives you the tools for self-care, which may improve how well you manage low back pain.
Back school is only as effective as you make it by applying your back-care knowledge on a regular basis. Back school research has produced mixed results.
- Some studies have shown that back school can improve acute low back pain and speed recovery. Other studies have shown no benefit or mixed results.1 For chronic pain, back school is likely to help reduce pain and increase your ability to be active.2
- One study suggests that back school is as effective as manual treatments for relieving some low back pain.3
Ask your health insurance provider or doctor for the name of a local back school. You may find a back school program in your nearest rehabilitation hospital or outpatient program. Or you may find a back school that is an independent clinic.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: February 4, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics | |
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