Physiotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of chronic low back pain in the elderly

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) affects millions of people worldwide and is one of the main causes of disability. In this scenario, physiotherapy plays a key role in treatment, as it helps to relieve pain, improve functionality and promote quality of life. Techniques such as therapeutic exercises, Pilates, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and thermal therapy are widely used, although more research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of each approach. In this context, this study aims to investigate physiotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of CLBP in the elderly. This article is a narrative literature review carried out in the first half of 2025, based on 11 articles selected according to the established eligibility criteria. The results revealed several effective physiotherapy treatments for the dysfunctions caused by CLBP. However, methods such as McKenzie and ultrasound showed limited evidence, while physical exercises, including MFR and aquatic exercises, showed positive effects on pain reduction, functional improvement and quality of life. It is concluded that although the treatments are promising, their results vary according to the protocol adopted and the individual characteristics of each patient. Further research is therefore needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of these approaches.