By Rich Bowden:

An Australian study has found that simple advice recommended to treat back pain is often not received with patients being referred to unnecessary and expensive treatment.

Back Treatment. Credit: BIJI KURIAN

Research carried out by the Sydney-based health non-profit organisation The George Institute has discovered that advice for the best treatment for back pain, including to stay active, avoid bed rest and take regular simple analgesics such as paracetamol, is only received by around 20 percent of sufferers.

The Institute found that best practice recommendations in international evidence-based guidelines was often not dispensed by medical practitioners in Australia dealing with back pain which mostly consist of GPs, physiotherapists and chiropractors, said a statement released by the Institute today.

It said that unnecessary imaging and stronger pain relief added to the cost of treatment.

“We found a great difference between usual care and what is recommended in guidelines for treating acute lower back pain,” said author of the study Professor Chris Maher, Director of musculoskeletal research at The George Institute.

“For example, guidelines discourage the use of imaging, but more than one-quarter of patients were referred to imaging. Most patients did not receive the recommended advice even though this is inexpensive and universally recommended for all patients. The challenge is how we change practice so that it aligns with the evidence”, he said.

Prof Maher said the abundance of often incorrect information available online was a factor in best practices not being followed.

“One issue is the internet; it contains an interesting mix of information and misinformation. As a result treating back pain for clinicians is more difficult than ever because of common misconceptions patients bring with them to the consultation. A potential step in rectifying the situation is addressing these misconceptions with key public health messages.”

According to the Institute release, “Low back pain is the most prevalent and costly musculoskeletal condition in Australia, estimated to cost up to $1billion per annum with indirect costs exceeding $8billion. In the United States, the direct cost of treatment is over $50 billion.”

The study examined 3533 patients who visited their GP with a complaint of a new case of low back pain. The treatment received was compared with international evidence-based guidelines for the management of lower back pain, said the Institute.

Tags: back pain, medical news, survey back treatment, TheGeorge Institute