| Summary of Common Recommendations for Treatment of Low back pain | 
| Acute or Subacute Pain | 
| * Reassure patients (favourable prognosis). | 
| * Advise to stay active. | 
| * Prescribe medication if necessary (preferably time-contingent): first line is paracetamol; second line is nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, consider muscle relaxants, opioids or antidepressant and anticonvulsive medication (as co-medication for pain relief). | 
| * Discourage bed rest. | 
| * Do not advise a supervised exercise programme. | 
| Chronic Pain | 
| * Discourage use of modalities (such as ultrasound, electrotherapy) | 
| * Short-term use of medication/manipulation | 
| * Supervised exercise therapy | 
| * Cognitive behavioural therapy | 
| * Multidisciplinary treatment |