Physiotherapy Approaches for Chronic Low Back Pain: Evidence-Based Perspectives

Abstract

CLBP is one of the common conditions that cause disability globally and impacts physical function, quality of life and health services. Physiotherapy is a common conservative treatment for CLBP with a range of evidence-based treatments that can help reduce pain and enhance functional outcomes. The purpose of this review was to assess the effectiveness of modern physiotherapy techniques in the management of chronic low back pain from the perspective of human clinical trials. Major electronic databases were searched for literature (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar) for randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses from 2015 to 2026. Exercise therapy, manual therapy, The McKenzie Method, motor control and core stabilization exercises, Pilates, yoga, electrotherapy, dry needling, patient education, Cognitive Functional Therapy, and telerehabilitation were considered. The results showed that exercise-based rehabilitation (ESRs) showed the greatest evidence for reducing pain, function, and disability, especially core stabilization and motor control exercises. Multimodal physiotherapy programs that combined exercise, manual therapy, patient education and psychosocial interventions always demonstrated superior clinical outcome compared to individual interventions. Based on the available evidence, individualized, evidence-based physiotherapy is a valid approach to chronic LBP and offers benefits to patients in the long-term.