Early Physical Therapy Intervention for Low Back Pain Critical for Longterm Prognosis

Best Care Practices for Low Back Pain 

Despite established clinical guidelines supporting the early use of physical therapy in best care practices for the management of low back pain, physical therapy referral remains unchanged since 1990.  The PT referral rate from a recent 11 year study at Beth Israel Hospital was a low 20%.1

What was startling about the study was that while narcotic prescription, referrals for diagnostic tests, and other physician referrals all increased, patient quality of care and back pain outcomes decreased.  This latest study is not the first to reveal the discordant care of low back pain in America today. (2,3)

Additionally, PT is supported as the standard of clinical care for typical low back pain management. Yet, doctors are not referring to physical therapy often enough, nor are they familiar with what physical therapists actually do to evaluate and manage low back pain. It becomes difficult for a doctor to refer to another specialist, like physical therapy, when they are not aware of exactly what it is they do. Most times, you as a patient have to speak up and ask for physical therapy or most likely, call your insurance company and ask if you have direct access to PT.  All 50 states now have direct access to PT like any other specialist. However, your insurance company may limit your access in order to keep their costs down.

What’s more is PT, when combined with yoga intervention, can address comorbidities known to directly affect low back pain outcomes (like depression, anxiety, and systemic inflammation), making integrative medicine a perfect adjunct to the clinically supported standard of care for low back pain.4

The latest evidence-based guidelines for low back pain care and cutting edge marketing strategies and business models for increasing referral sources and improving your patient’s chances for best long-term low back pain outcomes will all be covered in the new Allied Health Education LOW BACK PAIN EVIDENCE-BASED CLINICAL UPDATE ON CONVENTIONAL AND INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE  CE course offered in partnership with Professional Yoga Therapy Studies and Ginger Garner, long-time licensed physical therapist. Clinicians will also have access to Ms. Garner’s 78 page E-Booklet for patient education, Best Care Practices for Low Back Pain. 

WANT TO HOST THE LOW BACK PAIN COURSE? Contact AHE  today!

Sources

1. Mafi JN, McCarthy EP, Davis RB, Landon BE. Worsening Trends in the Management and Treatment of Back Pain. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;():-. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.8992
2. Carey, T MD, MPH; Freburger JK PT, PhD; Holmes GM PhD; Castel, L PhD; Darter Jane BS; Aganst R. PhD; Kalsbeek W. PhD; Jackman Anne MSW.  A Long Way To Go: Practice Patterns and Evidence in Chronic Low Back Pain Care.  Spine. 1 April 2009 – Volume 34 – Issue 7; pp 718-724.
3. Fritz, Julie M. PT, PhD, ATC; Childs, John D. PT, PhD; Wainner, Robert S. PT, PhD; Flynn, Timothy W. PT, PhD. Primary Care Referral of Patients with Low Back Pain to Physical Therapy: Impact on Future Healthcare Utilization and Costs.  Spine: POST ACCEPTANCE, 18 May 2012. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31825d32f5
4. Gothe N, Pontifex MB, Hillman C, and McAuley E. The Acute Effects of Yoga on Executive Function. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 2013 10; 488-495.

Are you a healthcare provider? Earn CE’s in Best Care Practices for Low Back Pain Management by bring the course to your facility! Contact AHE

TITLE:  Clinical Update on Evidence-Based Low Back Pain Management: Conventional & Integrative Yogic Medicine Techniques for Improving Patient Satisfaction, Outcomes, and Continuity of Care
Contact Hours: 7
Audience: PT, PTA, ATC, OT, COTA, MT, or any health care provider who treats low back pain