Telerehabilitation for Chronic Lower Back Pain: As Effective as In-Clinic Physical Therapy

Chronic lower back pain affects millions of people and significantly reduces quality of life, but a study published in the Clinical Journal of Pain offers a promising, accessible solution.

Telerehabilitation is a form of remote physical therapy delivered through video calls, phone sessions, or dedicated apps. It allows patients to receive personalized, professional treatment from the comfort of their homes, without the need to visit a clinic. The treatment includes custom-tailored exercises, expert guidance, and progress tracking.

Study Details and Results

The study followed 42 individuals with chronic lower back pain, divided into two groups:

• One group received traditional in-clinic physiotherapy

• The other participated in a telerehabilitation program

Both groups completed the same set of targeted exercises three times a week for eight weeks.

Researchers assessed participants' pain levels before treatment, immediately after the program, as well as one month and three months post-treatment.

Encouraging Findings

Both groups reported significant reductions in pain across the entire follow-up period. The study showed:

• Equal effectiveness between telerehabilitation and in-person therapy in improving quality of life

• A noticeable decrease in the daily impact of pain

• Improved lower back mobility in both groups

• No major differences in walking patterns between the groups

Why Telerehabilitation Matters

The researchers concluded that telerehabilitation is just as effective as traditional physical therapy for treating chronic lower back pain. It offers a convenient, flexible, and accessible alternative, especially for people who:

• Have physical limitations

• Live far from clinics

• Struggle to find time for in-person appointments

Because it can be personalized to fit each patient’s unique needs and circumstances, telerehabilitation opens the door for more people to access high-quality care without compromising on results.

Virtual physical therapy is a powerful, proven tool that could revolutionize how chronic lower back pain is treated.