Self-care techniques for acute episodes of low back pain.
Guidelines recommend minimal medical intervention for acute non-specific low back pain. However, patients often request strategies to reduce symptoms and recover quickly. Self-care techniques that do not contradict current evidence-based recommendations may be suggested. Self-care techniques can reduce costs and iatrogenic complications that can occur with medical treatment. They may also increase the patient's perception of control and improve long-term outcome. A shift in paradigm for the health care provider and the patient is required for self-care to be successful. These issues, as well as self-care approaches such as medication, exercises, modalities and mind-body techniques are discussed. Practice points for each approach are given.
Nordin
Margareta
M
Departments of Orthopedic and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, USA.
Welser
Sherri
S
Campello
Marco A
MA
Pietrek
Markus
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care