Table 4 Therapeutic interventions for persistent low-back pain (12 weeks +)

Multidisciplinary program [39,73]

Back school [65,74]

Massage [57,67,74,75]

Lumbar support [70,74,75]

- Efficacious if intensive, includes return to work component with visit of workplace.

- Efficacy if short term and on workplace premises

- Efficacy > no treatment

- Better efficacy if combined to exercises and education

Behavioral therapy [41,74]

NSAIDs [51,52,74]

Prolotherapy injection [76]

- Efficacy > no treatment or waiting list if includes cognitive approach and relaxation

- Efficacy to ↓ pain = acetaminophen for all NSAIDs

Exercises [42,58,74]

Vertebral manipulations [55,56,75]

Neuroreflexotherapy [78]

- No superiority of one type compared to another

- Better if individualised

McKenzie approach [66]

Muscle relaxants [52,61]

- Evidence weaker than in acute phase

- Advantage over benzodiazepines

Antidepressants [52,61]

- Efficacy > placebo

- Advantage for tricyclic and tetracyclic

Acupuncture [62,63]

- Efficacy on pain and functional status

- Efficacy = other treatments

Steroid epidural infiltration [72,74]

Infiltration of trigger points [72,74]

Radiofrequency denervation [71,79]

Bed rest [58,64,68,74]

Injection therapy [72,74]

Therapeutic ultrasounds [68,75]

Mechanical tractions [58,74,75]

TENS [58,75,77]