Chronic low back pain is a major cause of disability worldwide, often leaving patients frustrated when treatments like medication fail to provide lasting relief.
Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Center for Rural Health may have found a more effective solution.
Their study, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals that integrating lifestyle support into back pain care can significantly reduce disability and improve overall quality of life.
The study included 346 participants from across Australia who suffered from chronic low back pain and had at least one lifestyle risk factor such as obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, or poor sleep.
Participants were divided into two groups: one received standard physiotherapy care based on current guidelines, while the other participated in the “Healthy Lifestyle Program (HeLP).”
The HeLP group received personalized support from physiotherapists, dietitians, and telephone health coaches to identify and address lifestyle habits that might contribute to their back pain.
Over six months, participants were given evidence-based advice and guidance to tackle challenges like inactivity, weight management, smoking, or poor sleep.
The results of the study highlighted several significant benefits of the HeLP approach compared to standard care:
- Reduced Disability: HeLP participants scored 1.3 points lower on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, which measures back pain-related disability (lower scores indicate less disability).
- Weight Loss: On average, HeLP participants lost 1.6 kg more than those in the standard care group.
- Improved Quality of Life: Participants reported feeling more in control of their pain and their overall health.
Associate Professor Chris Williams, the study’s chief investigator, explained that these findings challenge traditional back pain treatment models, which often focus narrowly on the spine. “Resolving back pain needs to focus on more than the back,” he said. “Our bodies are like ecosystems where various factors interact to influence how we feel. Back pain is no different.”
Williams emphasized that many people are unnecessarily referred for surgeries or prescribed medications that may not help and can even cause harm. Instead, the study suggests that addressing broader health factors, such as lifestyle habits, can have a profound impact.
“Increasing numbers of studies have shown that pathologies like bulging disks and joint degeneration are rarely the cause of long-term back pain,” Williams added. “Unfortunately, few people are told this, and even fewer are given the right support to manage the factors that truly matter.”
Dr. Emma Mudd, the study’s lead author, highlighted how the HeLP program empowered patients by focusing on self-management. “Many people with chronic back pain feel abandoned, being referred for high-cost, ineffective treatments without receiving guidance on recommended approaches that promote self-care,” she said.
The HeLP program shifted the focus toward lifestyle changes and provided simple, supportive interventions. This not only reduced pain but also improved patients’ overall health and well-being. “Patients felt heard and valued, and they were empowered to take control of their pain,” Dr. Mudd noted.
The researchers believe their findings could influence future updates to back pain treatment guidelines, encouraging a broader, lifestyle-focused approach. Integrating lifestyle changes into back pain care could also benefit patients beyond pain management, potentially lowering the risks of other chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes.
“Clinicians treating back pain should consider how they integrate lifestyle support into their day-to-day care,” said Williams. “There’s no one-size-fits-all method, but the key is ensuring the patient feels heard and involved in the decision-making process.”
This study underscores the importance of shifting back pain treatment away from medications and surgeries and toward holistic, lifestyle-focused care. By addressing factors like weight, inactivity, and poor sleep, patients can achieve better pain management, improved quality of life, and reduced disability.
The findings provide hope for millions of people living with chronic back pain, offering a more effective and sustainable path to recovery.
If you care about pain, please read studies about vitamin K deficiency linked to hip fractures in old people, and these vitamins could help reduce bone fracture risk.
For more information about wellness, please see recent studies that Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people, and eating yogurt linked to lower frailty in older people.
The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
