Hyperlink to Assessment & imaging chapter

1.1.1.

Keep diagnosis under review.

1.1.2.

Do not offer X-ray of the lumbar spine for the management of non -specific low back pain.

1.1.3.

Consider MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) when a diagnosis of spinal malignancy, infection, fracture, cauda equina syndrome or ankylosing spondylitis or another inflammatory disorder is suspected.

1.1.4.

Only offer an MRI scan for non-specific low back pain within the context of a referral for an opinion on spinal fusion (See chapter 12).

Hyperlink to Information, education and patient treatment preferences chapter

1.2.1.

Provide people with advice and information to promote self-management of their low back pain.

1.2.2.

Offer educational advice that:

• includes information on the nature of non-specific low back pain

• encourages the person to be physically active and continue with normal activities as far as possible.

1.2.3.

Include an educational component consistent with this guideline as part of other interventions, but do not offer stand-alone formal education programmes.

1.2.4.

Take into account the person’ expectations and preferences when considering recommended treatments, but do not use their expectations and preferences to predict their response to treatments.

1.2.5.

Offer one of the following treatment options, taking into account patient preference: an exercise programme, a course of manual therapy or a course of acupuncture. Consider offering another of these options if the chosen treatment does not result in satisfactory improvement.

For exercise (see chapter 6), manual therapy (see chapter 7), acupuncture (see chapter 11)

Hyperlink to Exercise chapter

1.3.1.

Advise people with low back pain that staying physically active is likely to be beneficial.

1.3.2.

Advise people with low back pain to exercise.

1.3.3.

Consider offering a structured exercise programme tailored to the person:

• This should comprise up to a maximum of eight sessions over a period of up to 12 weeks.

• Offer a group supervised exercise programme, in a group of up to 10 people.

• A one-to-one supervised exercise programme may be offered if a group programme is not suitable for a particular person.

1.3.4.

Exercise programmes may include the following elements:

• aerobic activity

• movement instruction

• muscle strengthening

• postural control

• stretching.

Hyperlink to Manual therapies chapter

1.4.1.

Consider offering a course of manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, comprising up to a maximum of nine sessions over a period of up to 12 weeks.

Hyperlink to Other non-pharmacological therapies chapter

Electrotherapy modalities

1.5.1.

Do not offer laser therapy.

1.5.2.

Do not offer interferential therapy.

1.5.3.

Do not offer therapeutic ultrasound.

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS)

1.5.4.

Do not offer transcutaneous electrical nerve simulation (TENS).

Lumbar supports

1.5.5.

Do not offer lumbar supports.

Traction

1.5.6.

Do not offer traction.

Hyperlink to Invasive procedures chapter

1.6.1.

Consider offering a course of acupuncture needling comprising up to a maximum of 10 sessions over a period of up to 12 weeks.

1.6.2.

Do not offer injections of therapeutic substances into the back for non-specific low back pain.

Hyperlink to Combined physical and psychological interventions chapter

1.7.1.

Consider referral for a combined physical and psychological treatment programme, comprising around 100 hours over a maximum of 8 weeks, for peoplewho:

• have received at least one less intensive treatment and

• have high disability and/or significant psychological distress.

1.7.2.

Combined physical and psychological treatment programmes should include a cognitive behavioural approach and exercise.

Hyperlink to Pharmacological therapies chapter

1.8.1.

Advise the person to take regular paracetamol as the first medication option.

1.8.2.

When paracetamol alone provides insufficient pain relief, offer:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or

• weak opioids

Take into account the individual risk of side effects and patient preference.

1.8.3.

Give due consideration to the risk of side effects from NSAIDs, especially in:

• older people

• other people at increased risk of experiencing side effects.

1.8.4.

When offering treatment with an oral NSAID/COX-2 (cyclooxygenase 2) inhibitor, the first choice should be either a standard NSAID or a COX-2 inhibitor. In either case, for people over 45 these should be co-prescribed with a PPI (proton pump inhibitor), choosing the one with the lowest acquisition cost.

This recommendation is adapted from ‘Osteoarthritis: the care and management of osteoarthritis in adults’ (NICE clinical guideline 59).

1.8.5.

Consider offering tricyclic antidepressants if other medications provide insufficient pain relief. Start at a low dosage and increase up to the maximum antidepressant dosage until therapeutic effect is achieved or unacceptable side effects prevent further increase.

1.8.6.

Consider offering strong opioids for short-term use to people in severe pain.

1.8.7.

Consider referral for specialist assessment for people who may require prolonged use of strong opioids.

1.8.8.

Give due consideration to the risk of opioid dependence and side effects for both strong and weak opioids.

1.8.9.

Base decisions on continuation of medications on individual response.

1.8.10.

Do not offer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for treating pain.

Hyperlink to Referral for surgery chapter

1.9.1.

Consider referral for an opinion on spinal fusion for people who:

• have completed an optimal package of care, including a combined physical and psychological treatment programme and

• still have severe non-specific low back pain for which they would consider surgery.

See chapter 10

1.9.2.

Offer anyone with psychological distress appropriate treatment for this before referral for an opinion on spinal fusion.

1.9.3.

Refer the patient to a specialist spinal surgical service if spinal fusion is being considered. Give due consideration to the possible risks for that patient.

1.9.4.

Do not refer people for any of the following procedures:

• intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET)

• percutaneous intradiscal radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PIRFT)

• radiofrequency facet joint denervation.