A comprehensive treatment approach to chronic low back pain

Abstract

A comprehensive treatment program for chronic disability related to back disease was presented. This program used not only more traditional methods of medical care for the structural disabilities of chronic mechanical back disorders, but also principles of active patient participation in the improvement process. The patients were educated in the manifestations of pain behavior, and in the phase II treatment program emphasis on pain sources was downgraded to allow positive reinforcement for healthy behavior to develop. By use of an organized team approach, a significant number of patients were processed; an overall reduction in use of alternative medical resources occurred.