This document presents updated clinical practice guidelines for managing acute and chronic low back pain, established by the American Physical Therapy Association.

The authors performed extensive literature reviews of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews to rank the effectiveness of various medical interventions.

Key recommendations emphasize exercise training, such as aerobic and trunk strengthening activities, alongside manual therapies and specialized classification systems.

The text also highlights that active treatments like yoga and Pilates are superior to providing education alone.

Physical therapists are encouraged to integrate this evidence-based data with their own professional expertise and the specific preferences of the patient.

Ultimately, these guidelines serve as a framework for high-quality care while identifying remaining gaps in scientific knowledge.

(George SZ, Fritz JM, Silfies SP, Schneider MJ, Beneciuk JM, Lentz TA, et al. Interventions for the management of acute and chronic low back pain: Revision 2021: Clinical practice guidelines linked to the international classification of functioning, disability and health from the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther [Internet]. 2021;51(11):CPG1–60. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2021.0304)