Chronic low back pain is one of the most common health problems worldwide. For many people, the pain lingers for years, affecting sleep, mood, work, and overall quality of life. Traditional treatments often focus on scans, medication, or passive therapies, but new research shows there may be a better way.
A large clinical trial led by Australian researchers, known as the RESTORE study, followed people with disabling low back pain for three years. The trial compared standard care with an approach called Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT), with or without the help of movement sensor biofeedback technology.
So, what exactly is Cognitive Functional Therapy?
CFT is a patient-centred approach that helps people better understand their pain, identify the things that keep it going, and gradually change unhelpful habits. Rather than just treating the symptoms, CFT looks at the whole person: lifestyle, movement patterns, beliefs about pain, and emotional well-being. It combines education, guided movement, and coaching to help people build confidence in their body again.
The results of the RESTORE trial were remarkable. People who received CFT reported:
- Less pain and disability compared to those who had usual care.
- Improved quality of life, including better sleep and mood.
- Sustained benefits, lasting up to three years after treatment.
What’s exciting is that these improvements were not short-term “quick fixes.” CFT empowered people to take control of their recovery and gave them strategies they could carry into everyday life. Adding movement sensor biofeedback (a tool that provides real-time feedback on posture and movement) made no significant difference compared to CFT alone—showing that it’s the core approach that really matters.
At Back To Health Physio, we’re passionate about helping people with persistent back pain move beyond temporary relief and towards long-term recovery. Cognitive Functional Therapy isn’t about ignoring pain; it’s about understanding it, reshaping how you move and think about it, and regaining trust in your body.
If you’ve been struggling with chronic low back pain and feel stuck, know that new evidence-based approaches like CFT offer real hope. You don’t have to live with ongoing pain—change is possible.
If you are experiencing back pain and want to work with our physiotherapists
who are incorporating CFT, give us a call on 9997 4970, email us at [email protected], or click below to book now.
who are incorporating CFT, give us a call on 9997 4970, email us at [email protected], or click below to book now.
Reference: Hancock, M. J., Smith, A., O’Sullivan, P., Schütze, R., Caneiro, J. P., Laird, R., et al. (2025). Cognitive functional therapy with or without movement sensor biofeedback versus usual care for chronic, disabling low back pain (RESTORE): 3-year follow-up of a randomised, controlled trial. The Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00088-5