QuestionDoes routine physiotherapy reduce functional disability compared with a single assessment and advice session in people with low back pain?Study designRandomised controlled trial.Main resultsIn people with low back pain, with or without leg pain or neurological signs, there was no significant difference in functional disability between physiotherapy and assessment and advice alone at 12 months (mean change in Oswestry disability index: −3.27 with advice and assessment v −2.23 with physiotherapy, mean difference −1.04, 95% CI −3.70 to 1.59).Authors’ conclusionsFor the treatment of low back pain, routine physiotherapy is as effective as one general advice and assessment session.