The United Kingdom’s National Health Service has issued new guidance for the treatment of back pain. In short:
- X-rays and MRI’s should not be used as they make people think they’re in worse condition than they actually are.
- Ultrasound treatments and steroid injections are not effective.
- Manual and exercise therapy are effective and should be used widely.
Keep this in mind the next time your doctor tells you that he needs to MRI you to make sure your back is okay. The latest scientific evidence shows that it’s actually an expensive exercise in futility!
To read the full article, go to the Independent Online.
To read a more detailed comparison of various treatment options with pros and cons, go to this Daily Mail article.