Direction specific or stabilization exercises for chronic low back pain patients: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction Low back pain (LBP) remains a leading cause of disability and is one of the most prevalent and costly conditions treated in primary care (Hayden et al, 2005a). In the UK, the total direct and indirect costs have been estimated at between £5 and £10 billion, with the majority of this absorbed by indirect societal costs (Maniadakis and Gray, 2000). Similar high costs exist in other countries, where data is available (Dagenais et al, 2008), and it is likely that the situation is similar in the Czech Republic. In 2004, in the Czech Republic about 19% of total work compensation was for musculoskeletal incapacity to work, compared to 40% for respiratory illness and 12% for trauma and poisoning (Říha, 2008). A minority of those with chronic or persistent symptoms appear to absorb the majority of the costs; it is estimated that 15% of the back pain population absorbs about 70% of total costs (Linton et al, 1998).