Low Back Pain
Evidence Based Guidelines & Physiotherapy
Data from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) show that low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint presenting to general practitioners.
Imaging
The RACGP advise that routine imaging of musculoskeletal low back pain actually leads to poorer outcomes for patients. Imaging changes are common in asymptomatic individuals and, therefore, have little diagnostic relevance.
Changes to the discs seen on MRI are reported in >37% of 20 year olds and >80% of 50 year olds with no pain!
Imaging should only be considered if there is suspicion of a sinister pathology or “red flag diagnosis” following a comprehensive clinical examination.
Patient education and remaining active are the management strategies most highly recommended by the RACGP for all musculoskeletal low back pain patients.
Invasive interventions such as surgery and injection therapies have a poor evidence base and should not be recommended for the management of musculoskeletal low back pain.
Our physiotherapists specialise in:
- Clinical assessment to rule out sinister pathology and determine the management plan.
- Tailored education to reassure and empower patients to take an active management approach.
- Exercise rehabilitation to achieve individual patient goals, address musculoskeletal impairments, increase function and decrease pain.
