Exercises and management of lower back pain

There does not appear to be much advantage for patients with a first episode of short duration back pain in doing any specific back exercises. Where the pain is longer lasting or reoccurring it is likely that exercise can play a useful role in reducing pain and disability. However, the form that this exercise should take and the best way for it to be provided it is much less clear. This is in part because of the way evidence has been collated and also the rigid way that some guideline groups have set about producing their statements.