Insane Facts About Low Back Pain
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There is a knowledge gap between the abundance of research versus patient beliefs concerning low back pain (LBP). Our profession is in a unique position within healthcare to solve this problem—one patient at a time. Evidence-based chiropractors are the conduit to spread credible information about MSK diagnoses to help patients change their longstanding beliefs. Your practice and profession benefit from reversing the myths commonly associated with LBP.
Here Is What Patients Know About LBP
Having back pain means you will always have weakness in your back (49.3%),
LBP will get progressively worse (48.0%)
Resting is a good idea (41.4%)
X-rays or advanced imaging are required to get the best medical care for LBP (54.2%). (Hall et al. 2021)
Here Is What We Know Know About LBP
Too much rest slows recovery. (2)
Medication is minimally helpful. (3)
Increased activity improves recovery. (4)
Imaging is not helpful for a diagnosis and often leads to a worse prognosis. (5)
The Results Of Poor Patient Education
Our patients suffer from a lack of credible knowledge surrounding the treatment of LBP. A poor understanding of LBP leads to inappropriate therapies to patients, ultimately resulting in frustration from the corresponding payors and providers. Everyone loses when patients receive care that is divergent from clinical practice guidelines. (1)
Less than 20% of patients receive evidence-based information and advice, and over-prescription of imaging and opioids is common.
The overuse of imaging and faulty patient education forms negative beliefs and expectations surrounding LBP.
Most general practitioners tell their patients an image will provide the best diagnosis.
Negative beliefs about back pain will influence clinical outcomes.
Did you know that ChiroUp has infographics to combat many of the questions you routinely have to answer about patient care? Check out the forms library and add these to your condition reports to save your time and patient frustration.
The Evidence-Based Solution Starts With ChiroUp
ChiroUp continually works to provide you, your staff, and your patients with the resources to change the perception of the chiropractic profession. We are here to help you deliver your best care to every patient, for every diagnosis, every time. It starts with the condition report from you and ends with a Google review from a patient.
Did you Know…
We are on a mission to change the public perception of what we do as evidence-based chiropractors. Chiropractors worldwide distribute over 20,000 condition reports monthly, educating the public on what we do and why we do it! Thank you for helping your patients and changing the perception of why chiropractors kick ass at treating MSK complaints.
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Hall A, Coombs D, Richmond H, Bursey K, Furlong B, Lawrence R, Kamper SJ. What do the general public believe about the causes, prognosis and best management strategies for low back pain? A cross-sectional study. BMC public health. 2021 Dec;21(1):1-7.
Williams CM, Maher CG, Latimer J, McLachlan AJ, Hancock MJ, Day RO, et al. Efficacy of paracetamol for acute low-back pain: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2014;384(9954):1586–96.
Shaheed CA, Maher CG, Williams KA, et al. Interventions available over the counter and advice for acute low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pain. 2014;15(1):2–15.
Koes B. Moderate quality evidence that compared to advice to rest in bed, advice to remain active provides small improvements in pain and functional status in people with acute low back pain. BMJ Evid-Based Med. 2010;15(6):171–2.
Lemmers GPG, van Lankveld W, Westert GP, van der Wees PJ, Staal JB. Imaging versus no imaging for low back pain: a systematic review, measuring costs, healthcare utilization and absence from work. Eur Spine J. 2019;28(5):937–50.
