Physical Therapy Referral From Primary Care for Acute Back Pain With Sciatica: A Randomized Controlled Trial

RCT (n=220) found those given early physiotherapy vs usual care (1 session of education) had greater improvement in Oswestry Disability Index (relative difference −4.8 points, 95%CI −8.9 to −0.7 points). There were no significant differences in health care use or missed workdays.

Annals of Internal Medicine