Acute Low Back Pain - What's The Prognosis?

According to a newly published study the previous low back pain (LBP) practice guidelines used by physicians have underestimated the likelihood of acute bouts of LBP recurring as well as turning into longer term chronic LBP. In the study, researchers followed 605 acute LBP patients who had an average pain intensity score of 5.6 out of 10 and a disability score of 15.8 out of 24. Eight percent had declared sick leave between pain onset and the baseline interview. Thirteen percent of 521 patients (86% follow-up) experienced chronic pain at 6 months and 19% of 443 patients at 2 years. At 6 months, 54% had experienced at least 1 LBP recurrence, and 47% in the subsequent 18 months. So what does this all mean? Simply, that LBP has a high tendency to return as well as turn into something more serious and more long term. Don't take a chance and think your back pain is just temporary or that taking a substance to mask the pain is the fix. Chiropractors are highly trained to evaluate and provide care for the back and spine. Chiropractors look to the source of LBP and focus on correcting the cause and not just simply masking the symptoms. Get proactive with your health and call your local chiropractor today!