TrA is a controversial Rx for LBP. SR haven't included relevant trials. Our just out SR (Musculoskeletal Science and Practice) shows clinically important effects compared with exercise, multi-modal physiotherapy, conservative medical management and placebo bit.ly/3o1GOC2

Here's an example of motivational interviewing in brief consultations from one of the MI founders in Stephen Rollnick. Listening, empathy, reflection leading to readiness to change ow.ly/OUKj50AANI7

This infographic has helpful and nuanced summaries of current evidence for the mechanisms, epidemiology, diagnosis, outlook, and recommended management for low back pain. Ref: Vlaeyen et al. (2018), Nature Reviews Disease Primers. nature.com/articles/s41572-0…

Lanier & Neal’s thought-provoking “daring discourse" (2020) contends that true academic debate involves decorum, declaring conflicts of interest, and avoiding publication in a different journal to the original research. Read more at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3183…

It’s interesting how behaviour is changed…Soon et al (2019) demonstrated presenting the high-value options as “default" to GPs in simulated vignettes reduced the odds of low-value LBP mx options being selected by 44%. qualitysafety.bmj.com/conten…

Have you had low back pain for more than 2 years? Participants are required for a study involving PET/MRI scan and sensory assessment in Clayton, Victoria. Reimbursement of $100 for time (2 sessions of 2-4 hours) and travel. Contact Muath Shraim at [email protected] for details

Anger is common when dealing with pain symptoms. These frustrations are often justified. Unfortunately if a person over-focuses on an issue or has no anger management techniques, the result is often increased pain.youtube.com/watch?v=BsVq5R_F… A simple introduction to anger management

AProf Jon Ford’s presentation from today at the World LBP Congress in Antwerp presenting new data on the STOPS approach and comparing clinical importance with STarT Back and Cognitive Functional Therapy slideshare.net/stopsbackpain…

Does imaging cause harm? Potentially - but this meta-analysis shows that routine imaging for low back pain patients on initial assessment does not have any clinically important adverse impact on outcome ow.ly/aTgp50wehsk

Petersen et al (2017) have developed a best evidence guide to clinical diagnostic rules for identifying common types of low back disorders. Worth consideration within a biopsychosocial approach; ow.ly/qD1v50vEje7

Ford et al (2019) presents and discusses a series of studies on the Specific Treatment of Problems of the Spine (STOPS) approach and highlights the evolving case supporting individualised physiotherapy for low back pain. Full text available mdpi.com/2077-0383/8/9/1334

A simple and concise video for patients suffering from persistent pain. Interesting however to read the comments from sufferers of persistent pain. “Information” alone and without empathetic connection from a practitioner can be threatening. youtube.com/watch?time_conti…

Da Silva et al 2019 confirm that recurrence rate of low back pain is high. Prognostic factors included exposure to awkward posture, longer time sitting, and more than two previous episodes of low back pain. Factors potentially related to disc mechanics? sciencedirect.com/science/ar…

What are the attitudes and beliefs of exericise-based practitioners towards chronic low back pain in Australia? Have your say.

A 2018 RCT published in BMJ concluded that parachute use did not reduce death or major traumatic injury when jumping from an aircraft… the importance of reading a paper in full before advocating change in practice! bmj.com/content/363/bmj.k509…

Peng et al (2010)(ow.ly/Qwyg30nOrT6) reported remarkable effects of intradiscal methylene blue injections compared with placebo on pain intensity in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain. These were not replicated by Kallewaard et al (2019)(ow.ly/hwz230nOrS3)

A beautifully animated resource from National Geographic to help explain to your patients the potential effects of opioid use youtube.com/watch?v=NDVV_M__…

ow.ly/OyLX30nlls2 2018 SR highlights moderate evidence for a positive association between certain pro-inflammatory biomarkers & severity/presence of NsLBP. Identifying subgroups in which inflammation plays a role could allow for specific treatment, e.g. anti-inflammatories.

Should guidelines include advice as 1st line care for acute low back pain? This SR evaluated RCTs evaluating over the counter interventions & advice for management of acute LBP. Advice had no statistically & clinically important effects at any time point. ow.ly/uZ1i30nfUBJ

Is intensive patient (including pain) education effective as part of first-line care for patients with acute low back pain? This 2018 high quality randomised control trial by Traeger et al suggests not. ow.ly/UuFU30naD8x