PHYSIOTHERAPY IS AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN (APRIL 05)  In our November 2004 newsletter, we detailed our involvement as a trial centre in the nationwide UK BEAM (Back pain, exercise and manipulation) study which examined the best care for people with low back pain. The study recruited patients from 10 trial centres across the UK of which Sheffield was one. The Physios were the only physiotherapy practice in this region to be selected to provide manipulation, exercise and advice to trial patients and Paul Hattam was also chosen to act as regional Clinical Advisor.
The results from the trial were finally published online in the BMJ in November 2004 and revealed that a package of spinal manipulation followed by an exercise programme is the most effective form of treatment for low back pain patients who have already received GP care. Commenting on the findings the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy said:
"We welcome the arrival of this important study. As expected, the findings of this large-scale trial offer further evidence that physiotherapy works for back pain. The results show that physical treatments and exercise is beneficial for low back pain. This will come as a major boost to the huge proportion of patients whose problems persist beyond initial GP intervention. With the arrival of the UKBEAM Trial and the recent publication of a study from Brunel University highlighting the importance of early intervention, the evidence to support the clinical and cost effectiveness of physiotherapy in the treatment of low back pain is mounting."
Martin Underwood, Professor of General Practice at Queen Mary, University of London, who was one of the lead researchers in the trial team, said:
"One of the commonest health problems I'm asked to treat as a GP is back pain. This trial has shown that physical treatments - a combined package of spinal manipulation and exercise in particular - may offer relief to the large numbers of patients whose back pain persists after they've received best care from their GP."
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