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Assessment and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain Multidisciplinary Practice Guideline

Assessment and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain: A Multidisciplinary Clinical Practice Guideline

Evidence-based guidance for evaluating and managing acute low back pain in outpatient care.

Abstract

Purpose

To create an evidence-based guideline for the evaluation and management of acute low back pain.

Methods

A multidisciplinary guideline development group formulated recommendations based on a systematic review of the evidence (PROSPERO Registration 537276) and a protocol based on the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) working group methodology.

Intended users and settings

Clinicians providing care to individuals presenting with acute low back pain (<6 weeks duration), with or without radiculopathy, in outpatient settings.

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For clinicians

Clinician Acute Low Back Pain Resources

Access practical recommendations, clinical tools and education to support evidence-based outpatient care.

Explore clinician resources
For patients

Acute Low Back Pain Resources for Patients

Find clear, guideline-aligned information to support self-care, questions and shared decisions with a clinician.

Explore patient resources

Recommendations

Review the guideline's key recommendations and practical resources for applying them in outpatient care on the Acute Low Back Pain Guideline Page for Clinicians.

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Guideline Contributors

Authors

  • Andrea C. Skelly, PhD, MPHMethodologist
  • Devan Kansagara, MDGuideline Development Group Co-chair
  • Jessica Oswald, MDGuideline Development Group Co-chair
  • Roger Chou, MDMethodologist

AAPM ALBP Guideline Consultants

  • Ajay Wasan, MDNonvoting
  • Mark Wallace, MDNonvoting
  • Steven Cohen, MDNonvoting

Guideline Development Group

  • Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPH
  • James Babington, MD
  • Andrew Chang, MD
  • Beth D. Darnall, PhD
  • Mark Holtsman, PharmD
  • Heather Jackson, PhD, FNP-BC
  • Anthony Lisi, DC
  • Tom Norris
  • Rosemary Carol Polomano, PhD, RN
  • Sean D. Rundell, DPT, PhD
  • Raymond Y. Teets, MD
  • Erika Brodt, BSNonvoting
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Funding and attribution: This project is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award (FAIN) totaling $1,999,980, with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The content is that of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the official views of, nor any endorsement by, FDA/HHS or the U.S. Government.

Oregon Health & Science University Evidence-based Practice Center, Aggregate Analytics, and the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Assessment and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain, 2026.