Effect of Thermal Therapy and Exercises on Acute Low Back Pain

Wearing of a light elastic lower back heating wrap, which heats up to 40°C within 30 minutes and maintains this temperature continuously for 8 hours. Heat wrap will be worn during the day for 8 hours on 7 consecutive days.

In addition of exercises performed with the physiotherapist at the first session, exercises will be performed at home five times over the next 7 days, for approximately 30 minutes each performing day. Three different categories of exercises will be given: 1) Functional activities exposure (sitting, sit-to-stand, lifting, bending, etc.); 2) cognitive contraction of trunk muscles and basic trunk motor control exercises; 3) mobility of the lumbar spine and preferential direction of movement. Exercises will be chosen and adapted for each participant by a physiotherapist, in function of pain presentation and intensity, and response to exercises.

The same lower back wrap as the Thermal care group will be used, but cooled down to room temperature (opened in advance). The wrap will be worn following the same parameters (duration, frequency) than the Thermal care group.

Participants will receive education on the management of acute low back pain by a physiotherapist . The main topics addressed will be patient reassurance, staying active, avoiding bed rest, activity modification, and sitting and bed postures/transfer. Participants will received a document that details advices covered during the session and the physiotherapist will answer any questions.