Back School for Low Back Pain

Topic Overview

A back school is an educational program that teaches you practical information about back care, posture, body mechanics, back exercises, and how to prevent long-term back problems. Going to a back school gives you the tools for self-care, which may improve how well you manage low back pain.

Back school works only as well as you make it work by applying your back-care knowledge on a regular basis. Back school research has produced mixed results.

• Some studies have shown that back school can improve low back pain and speed recovery. Other studies have shown no benefit or mixed results.^{footnote 1}
• One study suggests that back school is as effective as manual treatments for relieving some low back pain.^{footnote 2}

Ask your doctor or physiotherapist for the name of a local back school. You may find a back school program in your nearest rehabilitation hospital or outpatient program. Or you may find a back school that is an independent clinic.