Managing low back pain in primary care

The majority of adults with low back pain can be effectively managed in primary care. Routine imaging and bed rest are best avoided. Instead patients should initially be provided with advice and simple analgesics and encouraged to remain as physically active as possible. If this initial approach provides insufficient pain relief, stronger analgesics and referral for physical therapies may be considered. Interdisciplinary rehabilitation is an option for those with persistent low back pain that does not respond to initial measures.