Low Back Pain Series: Volume 5, Part 1

My name is Dr. Robert Cutting and I am the sole Chiropractor working alongside the team at Mackie Physiotherapy. When it comes to treating patients, I believe in taking an evidence-informed approach to care. Evidence-informed care takes into account the best available evidence, a patient’s preferences and my own clinical knowledge and experience. There certainly is no “one size fits all” when it comes to treating an individual’s musculoskeletal complaints. It’s important to approach each case on an individual basis, and treat based on the individual’s needs and with their specific goals in mind.

This is the first part of instalment 5 of a 6 part series focusing specifically on low back pain. By educating patients about their low back pain we can provide the tools to help them understand it and feel empowered to take an active role in their care plan. This lays the foundation for them to regain a locus of control and develop the confidence to return to doing the things they love.

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What is chronic low back pain?

Did you know, at any point in time, approximately 577 million people will be dealing with low back pain. To be honest, I’ve got some right now! Yes, it’s true, contrary to popular belief your chiropractor is in fact human and can experience back pain just like anyone else. Good news is, most acute (new) episodes will resolve within a few weeks in the majority of cases and only about 20% progress to chronicity, or what we label as “chronic low back pain”.

Chronic low back pain is, by definition, back pain that has persisted for greater than three months; we’ve drawn a line in the sand and if you have pain for greater than three months, you’re chronic. Sounds bad doesn’t it? However, chronic does not mean forever, its simply a descriptor of the time frame for this current episode. This certainly does not mean you can’t improve and go back to doing the things you love. People experiencing chronic low back pain may just need a different and more individualized approach to managing their pain compared to someone experiencing an acute episode of pain.

Today’s society has been described as the “Age of Information”.  The internet, along with social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, provides easy access when seeking health care information - let’s face it, it’s just a click away - but have you ever noticed when looking for answers concerning back pain, you get endless sources presenting multiple different solutions on how to “unlock your back pain”, “DO NOT do this for back pain”, “DO THIS for back pain” or “take control of your back pain” …?

The vast majority of information, although presented in a very convincing fashion as fact, isn’t always accurate or in accordance with current evidence-based guidelines. So, how do we know if what we’re reading is opinion or more sound information based off of high-quality scientific studies? If you can’t tell by now, it is abundantly clear that there is a knowledge gap between the abundance of research and patient beliefs concerning low back pain. Chiropractors and physiotherapists are in a unique position within healthcare to solve this problem.
 
Evidence-based practitioners should act as guides when it comes to spreading credible information about musculoskeletal diagnoses. Educating patients in order to change their longstanding beliefs about things such as low back pain can promote a more optimistic relationship with pain and ultimately help patients regain a locus of control over their health.

Watch for the next instalment when Dr. Cutting examines the difference
between patient beliefs and what the research shows.

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Dr. Rob Cutting can be seen at both Mackie Physiotherapy Clinics!

Monday / Wednesday / Friday at Evergreen Mackie Physiotherapy
Tuesday / Thursday at Arlington Mackie Physiotherapy

You will not be disappointed with the quality of skill and patient care.

Call and book your appointment today!

Arlington: (306) 955-7888                   Evergreen: (306) 952-6277