The year-long study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine, involved more than 30,000 people. It found that by engaging in a range of exercises, participants could reduce their pain levels by up to 30 per cent.

Led by Professor Daniel Steffens, from the University of Sydney in Australia, the research looked at 23 published reports from 21 different randomised clinical trials.

Along with his team, Professor Steffens found that [if] patients were taught to lift heavy items in the best way, alongside healthy exercise, it could reduce their risk of pain by 45 per cent.

According to the study, healthy exercise could lower pain and also reduce the amount of time people have to use sick leave from work.

These findings could further support the work that physiotherapists do in helping to prevent long-term health problems like back pain. If these professionals were utilised more, it is thought that a considerable burden could be taken off GPs, who are under strain.

It is estimated that around a third of all visits to family doctors are because of musculoskeletal problems (MSK), which can be treated by a physiotherapist.

Professional health adviser at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) Stuart Palma said it has long been known that physical activity can be an effective treatment for lower back pain, but still 1.6 million people in the UK suffer from chronic back pain and a quarter will be at risk of losing their jobs.

Mr Palma said the research corrects the wrongly-held belief that those suffering from back pain should avoid movement and rest to avoid making it worse.

“Physiotherapy effectively treats and prevents low back pain by removing the fear factor, and getting people moving again, in an effective and personalised way,” he explained.

Written by Mathew Horton