Do you or someone you love suffer from low back pain? It would be no surprise if so. It has been estimated that up to 80% of adults will experience low back pain at some point during their lives. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that low back pain causes more disability worldwide than any other condition. One study found that 25% of US adults reported low back pain in the prior three months.
Diagnostic and treatment recommendations vary depending on how long a patient has had low back pain.
Acute pain refers to pain occurring in less than four weeks. Subacute pain lasts for 4-12 weeks, and chronic pain lasts for 12 weeks and more prolonged.
Did you know that imaging studies like x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are not routinely indicated for patients with acute or subacute low back pain? Only a small percentage of patients require these imaging tests after evaluation by their physician.
Interestingly, bed rest is the worst thing one can do to help alleviate the pain!
The American College of Physicians updated the clinical practice guidelines for non-invasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain in 2017.
The first recommendation includes treating patients with acute and subacute low back pain with non-pharmacologic therapies such as superficial heat, massage, acupuncture, and/or chiropractic spinal manipulation.
The second recommendation includes treating patients with chronic low back pain with non-pharmacologic therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic spinal manipulation.
So if you or your loved one suffers from low back pain despite self-care options, maybe it’s time to consider other recommended treatment therapies to alleviate your pain.
Articles:
2017 - Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians:
https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/M16-2367
2011 - Diagnostic Imaging for Low Back Pain: Advice for High-Value Health Care From the American College of Physicians:
https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-154-3-201102010-00008
DISCLAIMER: Persons having conditions and/or receiving treatments that may pose a risk to participating in complementary therapies should obtain medical clearance from their physician prior to partaking in these services. Please consult your medical physician if you have any condition or concern that might place you at risk for harm.