Treatments for Back Pain

A plain-language guide to the most effective treatments for back pain — what the evidence shows, what to expect, and how to choose the right approach for your presentation.

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

The myBackPain assessment identifies the most likely cause of your pain and guides you toward the treatment approaches with the best evidence for your specific presentation.

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Manual Therapy

Osteopathy
GOsC-regulated. Whole-body approach, Masters-level training, full scope of manual therapy.
Physiotherapy
HCPC-regulated. Exercise prescription, rehabilitation, and manual therapy. NHS self-referral available.
Chiropractic
GCC-regulated. Manipulation-focused spinal care with good evidence for acute low back pain.
Manual Therapy — Overview
How osteopathy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic compare — and how to choose.

Exercise and Movement

Pilates and Yoga
Cochrane and meta-analysis evidence for chronic back pain. Why they work and how to start safely.
Self-Management
Level 1 evidence. Active rehabilitation produces better long-term outcomes than passive treatment alone.

Other Treatments

Acupuncture
NICE-recommended for chronic back pain. What the evidence shows and what to expect.
Surgical Considerations
When surgery helps and when it doesn’t. The evidence for each common procedure.