Risk Factors and Treatments of Non-specific Low Back Pain

Abstract

Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is one kind of low back pain (LBP) that most commonly happened and causes a great amount of disability and recurrence, putting a heavy burden on the medical system. However, research about mechanisms, risk factors, and treatment of NSLBP is still limited. This study discusses the mechanism and risk factors of LBP in detail and analyzes physical, biopsychosocial, invasive, and pharmacological treatments of NLBP. Results show that many intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence NLBP. Age, gender, and obesity degree are intrinsic factors. A sedentary lifestyle, smoking, heavy lifting, long-time driving, stress, and fear-avoidance beliefs are extrinsic factors. Effective physical treatments include pilates, core stability, and hip muscle strengthening exercises. Biopsychosocial treatments such as psychologically informed practice, are also considered an evolutionary treatment method. Surgery, radiofrequency denervation, and acupuncture are also should be considered if other invasive therapies are ineffective. Muscle relaxants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are strongly recommended for acute or sub-acute LBP.