Most Patients Don't Require Scans or Surgery
A comprehensive review by Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW Sydney has provided updated evidence on the assessment and management of low back pain, indicating that most patients do not require scans, surgery, or strong medications.
Researchers from NeuRA, UNSW Sydney, and the United States compiled findings from hundreds of studies to create a guide for clinicians. This guide aims to improve the clinical care of low back pain, a condition affecting approximately 619 million people globally.
Professor James McAuley, from the Centre for Pain IMPACT at NeuRA, stated, "Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, yet many patients still receive interventions that are unlikely to help."
Evidence-Based Approach to Care
The review, published in JAMA, evaluated studies from 2005 to 2026 and included recent guidelines from global health organisations. It highlights that routine imaging is often unnecessary and can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
Dr Aidan Cashin from NeuRA emphasised the importance of the review in translating evidence into practical guidance for clinical care. He remarked, "For doctors, this review provides an evidence-based roadmap for diagnosis and management."
The findings suggest that remaining active, self-managing the condition, and addressing broader factors contributing to pain and disability are supported by growing evidence. This approach contrasts with the limited benefits and potential harms of commonly used medicines, including opioids.
Low back pain affects around 619 million people worldwide, but a new review suggests many are receiving unnecessary scans and ineffectual treatments. Researchers compiled the latest evidence from hundreds of studies to assist with assessment and management, with 'Low Back Pain: A Review' published in JAMA.
The review encourages a focus on prevention, digital models of care, and scalable interventions as future steps. As Professor McAuley noted, "Most low back pain is not caused by a serious underlying condition. Most people can recover or improve with evidence-based care."
Last updated: 17 June 2026, 7:15 am
