A US study has found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can be used to improve functional disability and reduce pain.
Over the eight week trial period with two-hour group sessions every week, the MBSR group had meaningful improvement in pain at six and 12 months, compared to the usual care group. MBSR was found to be as effective as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to treat lower back pain is often limited in some parts of the country due to NHS funding, whereas MBSR can be performed without a therapist, such as by watching an online video or reading a training manual.
Read the full article at NHS Choices: