Topic Overview

Comprehensive rehabilitation (rehab) programs offer a variety of treatments for low back pain. They may use physical therapy, pain management with medicine and mental skills, and other medical treatments. These programs teach people how to care for their backs and how to prevent reinjury. In the case of people with chronic pain, these programs teach people how to manage their pain (and situations that make their pain worse) on a daily basis. Good programs are staffed by a team that includes doctors, physical therapists, behavioral counselors, and social workers.

You are likely to benefit from one of these programs if you have:

• Pain and decreased function that have not improved after 2 to 4 months of treatment.
• Chronic low back pain. A comprehensive rehab program is considered an effective approach to treating chronic low back pain. ^{footnote 1}
• Had back surgery.
• Had one or more unsuccessful back surgeries and have had pain and decreased function for several years.