Physiotherapy Modalities used in the Management of Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a costly and common medical problem accounting for 75-90% of compensation costs as a result of repeated treatments, long term work absenteeism and social support-unemployment compensation. Physiotherapy treatment modalities are commonly used in the management of CLBP. Data on the management of CLBP by physiotherapists in low income countries are scarce. A cross-sectional survey was used to investigate the management of CLBP by physiotherapists in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN). The objectives of the study were to establish: the commonly used physiotherapy modalities; reasons; and the evidence base used for their choice. Six hundred and eighty-five self-administered questionnaires were posted to all registered physiotherapists in KZN. Of 213 returned questionnaires, 141 (20.6%) met the inclusion criteria as they managed patients with CLBP. General exercises (30%); spinal mobilisation (28%); myofascial release (18%), education (12%) and training of local stabili-sers (12%) were the commonly used treatment modalities. Key reasons for the selection of the treatment modalities were undergraduate education received; own clinical experience and the attendance of postgraduate courses/physiotherapy conferences. From the reasons specified for the selection of treatment modalities, the use of written current available literature through reading of journal articles was sparsely utilized.