Therapy that brings lasting relief for chronic back pain

Chronic low back pain is a common and often frustrating condition, marked by flare-ups that can disrupt daily life for years. Many existing treatments offer only limited or short-term relief, leaving people struggling to stay active and independent. New evidence, however, suggests that a psychological approach known as cognitive functional therapy (CFT) could offer more durable benefits.

CFT is a type of psychotherapy that helps people better understand their pain, challenge unhelpful beliefs about movement, and gradually rebuild confidence in physical activity. Recent findings show that this approach can reduce disability linked to chronic low back pain for several years, making it the first treatment with strong evidence of long-term effectiveness in this area.

People who received CFT were better able to stay physically active over time compared with those receiving standard care. Adding biofeedback – a technique that uses sensors to help individuals become more aware of bodily responses – did not appear to provide meaningful extra benefit, suggesting that CFT on its own may be sufficient for many patients.

Long-term back pain is not just a physical problem but one that can be addressed by changing how pain is understood and managed. With wider access and better training for clinicians, this approach could significantly reduce the long-term impact of chronic back pain and help more people return to an active, fulfilling life.

Source: The Lancet Rheumatology