Exercise Therapy Basics
The Evidence for Exercise
What the Largest Review Found
In 2021, the Cochrane Collaboration — one of the most respected medical review organizations in the world — published a comprehensive analysis of all available evidence on exercise therapy for chronic low back pain (Hayden 2021).
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Clinical trials analyzed | 249 |
| Total patients | 24,486 |
| Conclusion | Exercise therapy reliably improves pain and function in chronic low back pain |
| Certainty of evidence | High (by Cochrane standards) |
Few treatments in the field of low back pain have this volume of evidence supporting their effectiveness.
How Does Exercise Compare to Medication?
Exercise therapy has been shown to produce results comparable to common pain relievers (NSAIDs), with several additional advantages:
- Minimal side effects
- Lasting benefits — medication only works while you're taking it
- Whole-body health gains — cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, and mood
- You're in control — no prescriptions or refills needed