Non-Operative — Low Back Pain — Mobility Deficits (Non-Operative)

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

WBAT; cessation of athletic activity may be recommended Phase I-II

Key Restrictions

ICF classification: LBP with mobility deficits (restricted spinal ROM and segmental mobility); Oswestry Questionnaire for functional outcomes; cessation of athletic activity may be recommended Phases I-II

Timeline & Phases

4 phases: Phase I (0-4 wks, 4-6 visits — pain control, STM, lumbar/thoracic/hip joint mob/manipulation, local TA/MF core, hip strengthening, walking/bike), Phase II (4-8 wks, 4-6 visits — scapular strengthening, neutral trunk stabilization: plank/dead bug/bird dog, hip and closed-chain strengthening), Phase III (8-12 wks, 4 visits — anti-rotation, squats, deadlifts, overhead press, return to run, plyometrics), Phase IV (12+ wks — sport-specific load progression, medicine ball, reactive training)

Notes

April 2025; ICF-classified LBP with mobility deficits — not radicular; lumbar/thoracic/hip manipulation in Phase I; Oswestry Questionnaire; discharge criteria: pre-injury performance level without pain; front plank 40 sec and side bridge 40 sec required for Phase III. [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2025-10-30.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Sports Medicine

Published

April 2025