How Do You Clinically Execute Back Pain Education?

A lumbar spine model that naturally bulges under compression - to help with fear-avoidance behaviour in patients

Studies and research papers each provide us with plenty of information. Put them all together, however, and you might make even more discoveries about the subject that interests you.

Recently, a study in the European Journal of Pain consisted of results from a systemic review of all current research regarding the treatment of lower back pain. This study took into account some 2,500 different research articles. In the end, it was discovered that many of the articles came to the same conclusion: education is one of the most important factors in the management of low back pain.

Researchers wrote:

Most high-quality guidelines target the noninvasive management of nonspecific low back pain and recommend education, staying active/exercise, manual therapy, and paracetamol or NSAIDs as first-line treatments.”

Indeed, systemic reviews help us look at the big picture. Literally, we can compile facts and opinions from all ends of the earth from professionals that are doing the same things we do. This helps keep us on the right track. This most recent European Journal of Pain study, for example, aids us in understanding that patient education – no matter where the patient is located – is of the greatest importance where low back pain is concerned.

In addition, given the fact that the World Health Organization has declared low back pain to be one of the most disabling conditions the world over, we – as spine specialists – must do our best to alleviate the problem and help patients get back into the workforce and continue the activities they love.

So, how do you approach back pain education with your patients? It’s likely you sit down for a chat, point to the parts of the spine on your favorite drawing or 2D model, and attempt to help your patient understand why their back pain is literally crimping their style. But there’s a better way to tackle back pain education.

Nearly a decade ago, Dr. Jerome Fryer, a chiropractor in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, recognized that tools for spine education were lacking. Eager to fill the gap, he took his knowledge of the spine to his workroom and developed the first Dynamic Disc Designs (DDD) model, intent on using it for his own patients to help them better understand chiropractor, its advantages, and their role in keeping their spine healthy.

Others in the field soon became aware of these fully-dynamic, amazingly-accurate models and Fryer found himself creating more and different models suitable for a variety of back pain education applications. Now, spine specialists around the world turn to DDD’s models as the best education tool available for their practice. With these models, they can show the patient what will occur before treatment, what happens during treatment, and how their spine should/will respond when treatment is complete.

Knowledge helps a patient to relax, and a relaxed, confident patient is one that will continue patronizing your practice for years to come. All it takes to achieve that are DDD’s tools for back pain education, lots of compassion, and a sincere interest in your clients.

I would like to thank you and your company Dynamic Disc Designs Corp. for creating a realistic product that can be considered worthy of being in a health care office.  This product makes it so much easier to show a 3D reference while explaining MRI’s and X-rays results to the patients.  I actually did not really use 3D models before because of their lack of realism.  Please keep on developing your models and I would highly recommend you to everyone.”
– Brent C. Bluekens, DC

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