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Routine Scanning for Lower Back Pain Does Not Help Much
In the paper published in the Lancet, the researchers say rates of MRI scans for back pain are rising according to figures from US medical programme Medicare.
They think patient expectations and preferences for imaging should be addressed, because in one trial 80% of patients with low back pain would undergo radiography if given the choice.
"Educational interventions could be effective for reducing the proportion of patients with low back pain who believe that routine imaging should be done."
Dr Dries Hettinga, head of research at the UK charity Backcare, said: "While back pain is very common, we still have a very poor understanding of this condition and its causes.
"Health professionals play a vital role in reassuring patients.
"While it may seem that sending patients for an X-ray or MRI can provide this reassurance, the scans often reveal very little.
"With the right information and support, most people are able to manage their pain and find that it gets better within days or weeks."
The draft guidelines from NICE say X-ray and MRI investigations of the spine should be limited to when tumours, breaks, fusions or serious inflammation and infection is suspected.
It advises all people with lower back pain to exercise, if necessary in supervised groups, and that doctors should be able to offer a course of manual therapy or acupuncture, BBC reported.
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