NINE out of ten treatments for short-term back pain are no good, researchers have found.
Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, were the only thing proven to be of any use.
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Steroid injections, paracetamol, acupuncture, heat, massage, osteopathy, electrical nerve stimulation and muscle relaxants had no proven benefit, experts found.
Spinal manipulation, antidepressants and drugs to target specific pain receptors, such as CBE, gave some relief with long-term pain, as did exercise.
Evidence was inconclusive for dozens of other treatments including acupuncture, reflexology and radiotherapy.
An Australian team analysed 301 medical trials to assess the best non-surgical treatments.
Just ten per cent have any proof they work.
Study author Dr Aidan Cashin said: “Our review did not find reliable evidence of large effects for any of the included treatments and most non-surgical treatments for low back pain were not efficacious.”
The NHS recommends anti-inflammatories, stretching, ice and heat packs to alleviate pain.
If there is no improvement, it urges patients to see a GP.
It adds: “It’s not always obvious what causes back pain and it often gets better on its own.”
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