Sean Gt Gibbons and Mark J Comerford (2001) Strength versus Stability: Part 1: Concept and Terms. Orthopaedic Division Review. March / April: 21-27

Complaints and syndromes relating to the lumbar-sacral region affect 80% 90% of the adult population (Herring, 1991). The treatment for low back pain varies widely. A recent review of acupuncture could not identify controlled studies that showed effective treatment for low back pain (van Tulder et al, 1999). Electrotherapy may be considered useful for pain control, but has limited use in long term management (Thacker, 1998; van der Heijden et al, 1995; Reitman et al, 1995). Manipulative therapy or manual therapy may be effective for the treatment of pain and restoration of movement in the short term, but it has not been shown to be effective in the long term (Richardson et al, 1999; Koes et al, 1996; Reitman et al, 1995). Strengthening programs may help function and control pain, but the effectiveness of various programs in the long term management of low back pain is debated (Dillingham and Delateur, 1995; Campello et al, 1996; David, 1997; Abenhaim et al, 2000). Despite this, strengthening programs continue to be recommended (McGill, 1998; Carpenter and Nelson, 1999; Abenhaim et al, 2000).