Low back pain, how important is to follow evidence-based practice.

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Here’s the study title – Risk Factors Associated With Transition From Acute to Chronic Low Back Pain in US Patients Seeking Primary Care). The study found that ‘non-guideline concordant intervention’ received within the first 21 days of acute low back pain significantly increased the likelihood of developing chronic pain.

Let’s dive into a systematic review of musculoskeletal pain literature. “What does best practice care for musculoskeletal pain look like? Eleven consistent recommendations from a high-quality systematic review” 

1. Care should be patient-centered. This includes the individual context of the patient,  effective communication as well as uses shared decision-making processes 

2. Practitioners should screen a high likelihood of serious pathology/red flag conditions. 

3. Psychosocial factors should be considered and asses  

4. Radiological imaging is discouraged unless: 

  • serious pathology is suspected 
  •  unsatisfactory response to conservative care 
  •  unexplained progression of signs and symptoms 
  • If imaging help to change management 

5. Assessment should include a physical examination.  

6. Patient progress should be evaluated with validated outcome measures 

7. All patients should be provided with education/information about their condition and management options 

8. Patients should receive management in terms of their routine physical activity and/or exercise 

9. manual therapy should be applied only in conjunction with other treatments program 

10. Unless red flag’ condition,  offer evidence-informed non-surgical care prior to surgery 

11. Facilitate continuation or resumption of work 

Make sure you use the above recommendations to guide your practice as well as to prevent low back pain. 

We hope this blog helps you appreciate the importance of following evidence-based interventions.

This is one of the reasons why we started Proactive physio knowledge – to make it as easy as possible for you to keep up to date

Reference:

Lin I, Wiles L, Waller R, et alWhat does best practice care for musculoskeletal pain look like? Eleven consistent recommendations from high-quality clinical practice guidelines: systematic review British Journal of Sports Medicine 2020;54:79-86.