A bio-psycho-social approach for treating sub-acute low back pain.

Abstract

This article examines the distinctive opportunities and challenges involved in treating sub-acute low back pain (LBP). Several risk factors have been identified. Thus, a multi-disciplinary design and a comprehensive bio-psycho-social approach seem to be the best modality of intervention to improve outcome. The relevant literature on various factors that are supposed to improve outcome is summarised and discussed. A controversial on the rehabilitation benefits still exists. From one side, meta-analytic studies provide a small evidence of effectiveness. Most treatments for chronic LBP provide weak results and the benefits can be just transient. From the other side, comprehensive bio-psycho-social approaches seem to be the best modality of intervention to facilitate physical outcome and return to work. This article reflects the conviction that clinicians with a special knowledge on LBP problems and researchers with a special knowledge on health policy will better work together. Their targets are outcome and cost-benefit ratio by taking into account the economical and political milieu of the country where the research is carried out.