Can exercise-related low back pain be treated solely with massage or joint mobilization?

Doctor’s answer

For common low back pain, manual therapy can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan but should be combined with exercise training and self-management. NICE guidelines suggest incorporating massage, joint mobilization, or spinal manipulation into exercise-inclusive treatment plans. Relying solely on passive treatments is insufficient for restoring strength, mobility, and daily load tolerance.

This content is for education. Diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation require an individual assessment by a sports medicine specialist.