Resistance training for rehabilitation of disability secondary to low back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is the number-one cause of disability of individuals under 40 years of age. The cost to society both in medical expense and loss of productivity is billions of dollars annually.1,2 The etiology of both acute and more persistent LBP is multifactorial, but torso weakness is considered a contributing factor. It is well documented that improved strength, as well as general conditioning, improve the odds of successful return to work.2-7 For these reasons, resistance training is often prescribed for the prevention and rehabilitation of disability secondary to LBP.The purpose of this article is to review current literature regarding resistance training for rehabilitation of LBP. Trunk strengthening will be reviewed in more detail and general principles for extremity resistance training will be reviewed as well.