Incorporating physical exercise as part of lifestyle: The way to combat nonspecific chronic low back pain

Background and Objectives Non-specific chronic low back pain is common and complex and has a large impact on individuals and society.  Inculcating physical exercise to promote healthy lifestyle has played an important role in the prevention and management of chronic health conditions. The purpose of this study is to review the published literature on lifestyle factors mainly physical exercise to combat nonspecific chronic low back pain. Material and Methods PubMed database was reviewed from 2000 and November 2018 and searched for ‘exercise and non-specific chronic low back pain’, ‘lifestyle and non-specific chronic low back pain’ and individual exercise interventions and non-specific chronic low back pain. Articles which fulfilled the criteria were included in the final review. Results The available evidences from existing systematic reviews and articles suggested that physical exercise does improve pain severity and physical function in chronic nonspecific low back pain. Regarding the type of exercises, strengthening or resistance exercises seem to be effective but no specific type of exercise is superior to others. Conclusion Incorporating physical exercise such as strengthening exercises as part of the lifestyle change could combat non-specific chronic low back pain.