INTRODUCTION: Low back pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders, but little is known about postural methods in its treatment. OBJECTIVE: Analyze changes in muscle strength, flexibility, function and pain in patients with chronic low back pain that underwent isostretching and global posture reeducation (GPR). METHODS: Thirty-nine patients, aged between 40 and 59 years, were evaluated before and after treatment protocols regarding: flexibility for sit and reach, muscle strength, functional capacity using the Roland-Morris Questionnaire, and intensity of pain by visual analog scale. The sample was randomized into two groups (1 -- GPR; 2 -- isostretching), all of whom were treated individually through 12 sessions lasting 45 minutes each, twice a week. RESULTS: After treatment, median reduction in pain intensity of 28 mm in group 1 and 32 mm in group 2 was observed, and a median improvement in functional capacity in group 1 of 8.5 points and 7 points in group 2 (p < 0.05). A mean improvement of seven repetitions in trunk extensor muscle strength was observed in group 1 and in group 2; by dynamometry of 10 kg/f in group 1 and 12.5 kg/f in group 2 of ten abdominal repetitions strength in group 1 and four repetitions in group 2 (p < 0.05). In the Sit and Reach, group 1 had a total mean increase of 3 cm, and group 2 had 1.6cm (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both groups were effective in improvement of muscle strength, flexibility, pain and functional capacity.

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