Physical Activity Interventions To Heal Chronic Low Back Pain

The intervention meet twice weekly for 12 weeks, 1.25 hrs./session. This intervention will be led by certified instructors trained in working with back pain patients. The instructor leads participants through a series of physical activity exercises at a slow-moderate pace. Participants will be asked to practice every day for 20 minutes to maximize the benefit of the intervention. Participants also receive a home practice manual containing some basic, safe postures that can be performed on days they are not attending the formal in-person sessions.

The interventions meet twice weekly for 12 weeks, 1.25 hrs./session. This intervention is designed to require a similar amount of physical exertion. Classes involve conventional exercises appropriate for patients with CLBP, including a comprehensive set of exercises that stretch all the major muscle groups, with an emphasis on the trunk and legs. The intervention will include all 12 stretching exercises used in the exercise intervention of previous studies that have successfully used it in comparison to yoga, plus 3 additional stretches (hip internal rotators, hip adductors and hip flexion).Participants will be asked to practice every day for 20 minutes home as well. Printed handouts will be provided to facilitate home practice. In addition, a video demonstrating all the exercises will be provided to assist participants in practicing safely. Classes will be led by a licensed physical therapist who has previous experience leading exercise classes.