Chronic back pain successfully treated with supportive psychotherapy.
BACKGROUND
The primary purpose of this article is to report 4 cases of lower back pain successfully treated with psychoeducation.


METHODS
Case studies of 4 patients with chronic back pain. Medline data search of articles relating to chronic back pain. The patients were treated on an outpatient basis for a period of up to one year.


RESULTS
A structured program of psychoeducation was effective in reducing pain and disability in all four cases.


CONCLUSIONS
There is increasing evidence of the role of psychological factors In the etiology and treatment of chronic back pain. A program of psychoeducation may be effective in treating certain patients with lower back pain.
Alao
A O
AO
Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA.
Faynberg
Ellen
E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome