Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chronic Low Back Pain

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Pain and Palliative Care

  • 3433 Accesses

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (CLBP), which generally refers to pain that has persisted for 3 months or more, is a common problem in the general population and in those seeking healthcare. The proportion with chronic or persistent symptoms is much larger than has been thought in the past. Many who do recover from an acute episode of back pain will have a recurrence in the following year. Many individuals with back pain do not seek healthcare, but because the problem is so prevalent in the general population the numbers who do seek care are enormous. Again because the numbers are so large this makes back pain one of the costliest health problems for direct and indirect costs. Neurophysiological and psychosocial issues have been highlighted as being associated with chronic pain, but these appear not to be relevant to the majority of those with CLBP. But from the epidemiological evidence and the evidence relating to barriers for recovery for this group it is clear that those with CLBP are a difficult group for whom to seek effective management. There are numerous potential treatments for those who do seek care. Some guidelines exist for this group, and there are also numerous systematic reviews that have been published evaluating the efficacy treatments that might be used. Exercises and talking therapies are the most commonly recommended interventions by guidelines and are supported by most systematic reviews. However self-management commonly occurs in this group. This chapter will explore these issues in more detail that are relevant to an understanding of CLBP; and in particular explore the impact, characteristics and management options for those with CLBP.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 349.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 599.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abbott, J. H., & Mercer, S. R. (2002). The natural history of acute low back pain. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 30, 8–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aina, A., May, S., & Clare, H. (2004). The centralization phenomenon of spinal symptoms – A systematic review. Manual Therapy, 9, 134–143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Airaksinen, O., Brox, J. I., Cedraschi, C., Hildebrant, J., Klaber-Moffett, J., Kovacs, F., et al. (2004). European guidelines for the management of chronic non-specific low back pain. http://www.backpaineurope.org/web/html/evidence.html.

  • Albert, S. M., Musa, D., Kwoh, C. K., Hanlon, J. T., & Silverman, M. (2008). Self-care and professionally guided care in osteoarthritis. Racial differences in a population-based sample. Journal of Aging and Health, 20, 198–216.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arnau, J. M., Vallano, A., Lopez, A., Pellise, F., Delgado, M. J., & Prat, N. (2006). A critical review of guidelines for low back pain treatment. European Spine Journal, 15, 543–553.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Assendelft, W. J. J., Morton, S. C., Yu, E. I., Suttorp, M. J., & Shekelle, P. G. (2003). Spinal manipulative therapy for low back pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 138, 871–881.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Axford, J., Heron, C., Ross, F., & Victor, C. R. (2008). Management of knee osteoarthritis in primary care: Pain and depression are the major obstacles. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 64, 461–467.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bigos, S. J., Braen, G. R., Brown, K., Deyo, R., Haldeman, S., Hart, J.L., et al. (1994). Acute Low Back Problems in Adults. Clinical Practice Guideline No. 14. AHCPR Publication No. 95-0642. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, US. Department of Health and Human Services. December 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blakeman, T., Macdonald, W., Bower, P., Gately, C., & Chew-Graham, C. (2006). A qualitative study of GPs’ attitudes to self-management of chronic disease. British Journal of General Practice, 56, 407–414.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blyth, F. M., March, L. M., Nicholas, M. K., & Cousins, M. J. (2005). Self-management of chronic pain: A population based study. Pain, 113, 285–292.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bogduk, N., Derby, R., Aprill, C., Lord, S., & Schwarzer, A. (1996). Precision diagnosis of spinal pain. In J. N. Campbell (Ed.), Pain 1996 – An updated review. Seattle: IASP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borkan, J., Reis, S., Hermoni, D., & Biderman, A. (1995). Talking about the pain: A patient-centred study of low back pain in primary care. Social Science & Medicine, 40, 977–988.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bortz, W. M. (1984). The disuse syndrome. Western Journal of Medicine, 141, 691–694.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfort, G., Haas, M., Evans, R. L., & Bouter, L. M. (2004). Efficacy of spinal manipulation and mobilization for low back pain and neck pain: A systematic review and best evidence synthesis. The Spine Journal, 4, 335–356.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. J., Wells, G. A., Trottier, A. J., Bonneau, J., & Ferris, B. (1998). Back pain in a large Canadian police force. Spine, 23, 821–827.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cassidy, J. D., Carroll, L. J., & Cote, P. (1998). The Saskatchewan health and back pain survey. The prevalence of low back pain and related disability in Saskatchewan adults. Spine, 23, 1860–1867.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cherkin, D. C., Deyo, R. A., Loeser, J. D., Bush, T., & Waddell, G. (1994). An international comparison of back surgery rates. Spine, 19, 1201–1206.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chorti, A. G., Chortis, A. G., Strimpakos, N., McCarthy, C. J., & Lamb, S. E. (2009). The prognostic value of symptom responses in the conservative management of spinal pain. A systematic review. Spine, 34, 2686–2699.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chou, R., Qaseem, A., Snow, V., Casey, D., Cross, J. T., Shekelle, P., et al. (2007). Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain: A joint clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. Annals of Internal Medicine, 147, 478–491.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, K., Smith, B. H., & Hancock, E. (2009). Patients’ perceptions of self-management of chronic low back pain: Evidence for enhancing patient education and support. Physiotherapy, 95, 43–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins, M. (1994). Acute and postoperative pain. In P. D. Wall & R. Melzack (Eds.), Textbook of pain (3rd ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croft, P. R., Macfarlane, G. J., Papageoorgiou, A. C., Thomas, E., & Silman, A. J. (1998). Outcome of low back pain in general practice: A prospective study. British Medical Journal, 316, 1356–1359.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croft, P. R., Papageorgiou, A., & McNally, R. (1997). Low back pain – Health care needs assessment. Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • CSAG. (1994). Clinical standards advisory group: Back pain. London: HMSO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Damush, T., Wu, J., Bair, M. J., Suthermand, J. M., & Kroenke, K. (2008). Self-management practices among primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain and depression. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 31, 301–307.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deutscher, D., Horn, S. D., Dickstein, R., Hart, D. L., Smout, R. J., Gutvirtz, M., & Ariel, I. (2009). Associations between treatment processes. Patient, characteristics, and outcome in physical therapy practice. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 90, 1349–1362.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deyo, R. A., Mirza, S. K., Turner, J. A., & Martin, B. I. (2009). Overtreating chronic back pain: Time to back off? Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 22, 62–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dodd, T., et al., (1997). The prevalence of back pain in Great Britain in 1996. London: The Stationery Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, K. A., Thompson, L. M. A., & Jacobsen, P. B. (2011). Pain, depression and anxiety in cancer. In R. J. Moore (Ed.), Handbook of pain and palliative care: Biobehavioral approaches for the life course. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dufour, N., Thamsborg, G., Oefeldt, A., Lundsgaard, C., & Stender, S. (2010). Treatment of chronic low back pain. A randomized, clinical trial comparing group-based multidisciplinary biopyschosocial rehabilitation and intensive individual therapist-assisted back muscle strengthening exercises. Spine, 35, 469–476.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, G., & Richards, S. H. (1996). Low back pain: An evaluation of therapeutic interventions. Bristol: University of Bristol.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frymoyer, J. W., & Cats-Baril, W. L. (1991). An overview of the incidences and costs of low back pain. The Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 22, 263–271.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gatchel, R. J., Haggard, R., Thomas, C., & Howard, K. J. (2011). A biopsychosocial approach to understanding chronic pain and disability. In R. J. Moore (Ed.), Handbook of pain and palliative care: Biobehavioral approaches for the life course. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • George, S. Z., Zeppieri, G., Al, C., Cere, M. R., Borut, M. S., Hodges, M. J., et al. (2008). A randomized trial of behavioural physical therapy interventions for acute and sub-acute low back pain. Pain, 140, 145–157.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goubert, L., Crombez, G., & de Bourdeaudhuij, I. (2004). Low back pain, disability and back pan myths in a community sample: Prevalence and interrelationship. European Journal of Pain, 8, 35–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haldeman, S., & Dagenais, S. (2008). A supermarket approach to the evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain. The Spine Journal, 8, 1–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hay, E. M., Mullis, R., Lewis, M., Vohora, K., Main, C. J., Watson, P., et al. (2005). Comparison of physical treatments versus a brief pain-management programme for back pain in primary care: A randomised clinical trial in physiotherapy practice. Lancet, 365, 2024–2030.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hestbaek, L., Leboeuf-Yde, C., & Manniche, C. (2003). Low back pain: What is the long-term course? A review of studies of general patient populations. European Spine Journal, 12, 149–165.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J. C., Dunn, K. M., Lewis, M., Mullis, R., Main, C. J., & Foster, N. E., et al. (2008). A primary care back pain screening tool: Identifying patient subgroups for initial treatment. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 59, 632–641.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J. C., Dunn, K. M., Main, C. J., & Hay, E. M. (2010). Subgrouping low back pain: A comparison of the STarT Back Tool with the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire. European Journal of Pain, 14(1), 83–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hillman, M., Wright, A., Rajaratnam, G., Tennant, A., & Chamberlain, M. A. (1996). Prevalence of low back pain in the community: Implications for service provision in Bradford, UK. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 50, 347–352.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoy, D., Lyn, M., Brooks, P., Woolf, A., Blyth, F., & Vos, T., et al. (2010). Measuring the global burden of low back pain. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 24, 155–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. I. (1997). The physiology of the sensory dimensions of clinical pain. Physiotherapy, 83, 526–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jzelenberg, W. I., & Burdorf, A. (2004). Patterns of care for low back pain in a working population. Spine, 29, 1362–1368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keen, S., Dowell, A.C., Hurst, K., Moffett, J.K., Tovey, P., & Williams, R. (1999). Individuals with low back pain: how do they view physical activity? Family Practice, 16, 39–45.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keller, A., Hayden, J., Bombardier, C., & van Tulder, M. (2007). Effect sizes of non-surgical treatments of non-­specific low-back pain. European Spine Journal, 16, 1776–1788.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, N. A. S., Burton, A. K., Main, C. J., & Watson, P. J. (2009). Tackling musculoskeletal problems: A guide for the clinic and workplace – identifying obstacles using the psychosocial flags framework. London: Stationery Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klaber-Moffett, J. A., Newbronner, E., Waddell, G., Croucher, K., & Spear, S. (2000). Public perceptions about low back pain and its management: A gap between expectations and reality? Health Expectations, 3, 161–168.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klapow, J. C., Slater, M. A., Patterson, T. L., Doctor, J. N., Atkinson, J. H., & Garfin, S. R. (1993). An empirical evaluation of multidimensional clinical outcome in chronic low back pain patients. Pain, 55, 107–118.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klenerman, L., Slade, P. D., Stanley, I. M., Pennie, B., Reilly, J.P., Atchinson, L.E., et al. (1995). The predication of chronicity in patients with an acute attack of low back pain in a general practice setting. Spine, 20, 478–484.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krein, S. L., Heisler, M., Piette, J. D., Butchart, A., & Kerr, E. A. (2007). Overcoming the influence of chronic pain on older patients’ difficulty with recommended self-management activities. Gerontologist, 47, 61–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, S. E., Hansen, Z., Lall, R., Castelnuovo, E., Withers, E. J., & Nichols, V., et al. (2010). Group cognitive behavioural treatment for low-back pain in primary care: A randomised controlled trial and cost effectiveness analysis. Lancet, 375, 916–923.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lansbury, G. (2000). Chronic pain management: A qualitative study of elderly people’s preferred coping strategies and barriers to management. Disability & Rehabilitation, 22, 14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leboeuf-Yde, C., Klougart, N., & Lauritzen, T. (1996). How common is low back pain in the Nordic population? Data from a recent study on a middle-aged general Danish population and four surveys previously conducted in the Nordic countries. Spine, 21, 1518–1526.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, K. L., Jacobs, P., & Klarenbach, S. (2006). A population-based analysis of healthcare utilization of persons with back disorders. Spine, 31, 212–218.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linton, S. J. (1998). The socioeconomic impact of chronic back pain: Is anyone benefiting? Pain, 75, 163–168.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Linton, S. J. (2000). A review of psychological risk factors in back and neck pain. Spine, 25, 1148–1156.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Linton, S. J., Hellsing, A. L., & Hallden, K. (1998). A population-based study of spinal pain among 35-45-year-old individuals. Spine, 23, 1457–1463.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Long, A., Donelson, R., & Fung, T. (2004). Does it matter which exercise? A randomized control trial of exercises for low back pain. Spine, 29, 2593–2602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Long, A., Donelson, R., Fung, T., & Spratt, K. (2007). Are acute, chronic, back-pain only, and sciatica-with neural-deficit valid low back pain subgroups? Not for most patients. The Spine Journal, 7, 63S–64S.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Long, A., May, S., & Fung, T. (2008). Specific directional exercises for patients with low back pain: A case series. Physiotherapy Canada, 60, 307–317.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Main, C. J., Philips, C. J., & Watson, P. J. (2005). Secondary prevention in healthcare and occupational settings in musculoskeletal conditions (focusing on low back pain). In I. Z. Schultz & R. J. Gatchel (Eds.), Handbook of complex occupational disability claims: Early risk identification, intervention and prevention. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maniadakis, N., & Gray, A. (2000). The economic burden of back pain in the UK. Pain, 84, 95–103.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • May, S. (2001). Patient satisfaction with management of back pain. Part 2: An explorative, qualitative study into patients’ satisfaction with physiotherapy. Physiotherapy, 87, 10–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • May, S. (2007). Patients’ attitudes and beliefs about back pain and its management after physiotherapy for low back pain. Physiotherapy Research International, 12, 126–135.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • May, S. (2010). Self-management of chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis. Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 6, 199–209.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McAuley, E., Jerome, G. J., Elavsky, S., Marquez, D. X., & Ramsey, S. N. (2003). Predicting long-term maintenance of physical activity in older adults. Preventive Medicine, 37, 110–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McAuley, E., Konopack, J. F., Morris, K. S., Motl, R. W., Ho, L., & Doerksen, S. E., et al. (2006). Physical activity and functional limitations in older women: Influence of self-efficacy. Journal of Gerontology, 61B, 270–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, C. J., Arnall, F. A., Strimpakos, N., Freemont, A., & Oldham, J. A. (2004). The biopsychosocial classification of non-specific low back pain: A systematic review. Physical Therapy Reviews, 9, 17–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCracken, L. M. (1998). Learning to live with the pain: Acceptance of pain predicts adjustment in persons with chronic pain. Pain, 74, 21–27.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGorry, R. W., Webster, B. S., Snook, S. H., & Hsiang, S. M. (2000). The relation between pain intensity, disability, and the episodic nature of chronic and recurrent low back pain. Spine, 25, 834–841.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGuirk, B., King, W., Govind, J., Lowry, J., & Bogduk, N. (2001). Safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness of evidence-based guidelines for the management of acute low back pain in primary care. Spine, 26, 2615–2622.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, R., & May, S. (2003). The lumbar spine: Mechanical diagnosis and therapy (2nd ed.). New Zealand: Spinal Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinnon, M. E., Vickers, M. R., Ruddock, V. M., Townsend, J., & Meade, T. W. (1997). Community studies of the health service implications of low back pain. Spine, 22, 2161–2166.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, A. L. (2004). Patients’ perspectives on self-management following a back rehabilitation programme. Musculoskeletal Care, 2, 165–179.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • NICE Guidelines. (2009). Early management of persistent non-specific low back pain. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pengel, L. H. M., Herbert, R. D., Maher, C. G., & Refshauge, K. M. (2003). Acute low back pain: Systematic review of its prognosis. British Medical Journal, 327, 323–325.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Potts, M., Weinberger, M., & Brandt, K. D. (1984). Views of patients and providers regarding the importance of various aspects of an arthritis treatment program. Journal of Rheumatology, 11, 71–75.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rejeski, W. J., Miller, M. E., Foy, C., Messier, S., & Rapp, S. (2001). Self-efficacy and the progression of functional limitations and self-reported disability in older adults with knee pain. Journal of Gerontology, 56B, S216–S265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossignol, M., Arsenault, B., Dionne, C., Poitras, S., Tousignant, M., & Truchon, M., et al. (2007). Clinic on low-back pain in interdisciplinary practice (CLIP) guidelines. Montreal: Direction de sante publique. Agence de la santé at des servise sociaux de Montreal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos-Eggimann, B., Wietlisbach, V., Rickenbach, M., Paccaud, F., & Gutzwiller, F. (2000). One-year prevalence of low back pain in two Swiss regions. Spine, 25, 2473–2479.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shekelle, P. (1997). The epidemiology of low back pain. In L. G. F. Giles & K. P. Singer (Eds.), Low back pain. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shekelle, P. G., Markovitch, M., & Louie, R. (1995). Comparing the costs between provider types of episodes of back pain care. Spine, 20, 221–227.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siddall, P. J., & Cousins, M. J. (1997). Spine update. Spinal pain mechanisms. Spine, 22, 98–104.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skelton, A. M., Murphy, E. A., Murphy, R. J. L., & O’Dowd, T. C. (1996). Patients’ views of low back and its management in general practice. British Journal of General Practice, 46, 153–156.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smedley, J., Egger, P., Cooper, C., & Coggon, D. (1997). Prospective cohort study of predictors of incident low back pain in nurses. British Medical Journal, 314, 1225–1228.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smeets, R. J. E. M., Vlaeyen, J. W. S., Hidding, A., Kester, A. D. M., van der Heijden, G. J. M. G., & Knottnerus, J. A. (2008). Chronic low back pain: Physical training, graded activity with problem solving training, or both ? The one-year post-treatment results of a randomized controlled trial. Pain, 134, 263–276.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spitzer, W.O., Skovron, M.L., Salmi, L.R., Cassidy, J.D., Duranceau, J., Suissa, S., et al. (1987). Scientific approach to the activity assessment and management of activity-related spinal disorders. Spine, 12(7), S1–S55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swinkels, A., Cochrane, K., Burt, A., Johnson, L., Lunn, T., & Rees, A. S. (2009). Exercise interventions for non-specific low back pain: An overview of systematic reviews. Physical Therapy Reviews, 14, 247–259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szpalski, M., Nordin, M., Skovron, M. L., Melot, C., & Cukier, D. (1995). Health care utilisation for low back pain in Belgium. Spine, 20, 431–442.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, E., Silman, A. J., Croft, P. R., Papageorgiou, A. C., Jayson, M. I. V., & Macfarlane, G. J. (1999). Predicting who develops chronic low back pain in primary care: A prospective study. British Medical Journal, 318(7199), 1662–1667.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torrptsova, N. V., Benevolenskaya, L. I., Karyakin, A. N., Sergeev, I. L., & Erdesz, S. (1995). “Cross-sectional” study of low back pain among workers at an industrial enterprise in Russia. Spine, 20, 328–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Middelkoop, M., Rubinstein, S. M., Kuijpers, T., Verhagen, A. P., Ostelo, R., & Koes, B. W., et al. (2010). A systematic review on the effectiveness of physical and rehabilitation interventions for chronic non-­specific low back pain. European Spine Journal, 20, 19–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Tulder, M. (2008). Non-pharmacological treatment for chronic low back pain. British Medical Journal, 337(417), 418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Tulder, M. W., Goossens, M., Waddell, G., & Nachemson, A. (2000a). Conservative treatment of chronic low back pain. In A. Nachemson & E. Jonsson (Eds.), Neck and back pain. The scientific evidence of causes, diagnosis, and treatment (pp. 271–304). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Tulder, M. W., Ostelo, R., Vlaeyen, J. W. S., Linton, S. J., Morley, S. J., & Assendelft, W. J. J. (2000b). Behavioural treatment for chronic low back pain. A systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane Back review Group. Spine, 25, 2688–2699.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Verbeek, J., Sengers, M. J., Riemens, L., & Haafkens, J. A. (2004). Patient expectations of treatment for back pain. A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies. Spine, 29, 2309–2318.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Von Korff, M., Barlow, W., Cherkin, D., & Deyo, R. A. (1994). Effects of practice style in managing back pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 121, 187–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Korff, M., Ormel, J., Keefe, F. J., & Dworkin, S. F. (1992). Grading the severity of chronic pain. Pain, 50, 133–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waddell, G. (1987). A new clinical model for the treatment of low back pain. Spine, 12, 632–644.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waddell, G. (1994). Epidemiology review. Annex to CSAG report on back pain. London: HMSO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waddell, G., & Main, C. J. (1998). A new clinical model of low back pain and disability. In G. Waddell (Ed.), The back pain revolution (pp. 223–240). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, B. F., Muller, R., & Grant, W. D. (2004). Low back pain in Australian adults. Prevalence and associated disability. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 27, 238–244.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, K., Cruddas, M., & Coggon, D. (1992). Low back pain in eight areas of Britain. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 46, 227–230.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waxman, R., Tennant, A., & Helliwell, P. (2000). A prospective follow-up study of low back pain in the community. Spine, 25, 2085–2090.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webster, B. S., & Snook, S. H. (1994). The cost of 1989 workers’ compensation low back pain claims. Spine, 19, 1111–1116.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wenig, C. M., Schmidt, C. O., Kohlmann, T., & Schweikert, B. (2009). Costs of back pain in Germany. European Journal of Pain, 13, 280–286.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, D. A., Feuerstein, M., Durbin, D., & Pezzullo, J. (1998). Health care and indemnity costs across the natural history of disability in occupational low back pain. Spine, 23, 2329–2336.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, P. M., Kendall, S., & Brooks, F. (2006). Nurses’ responses to expert patients: The rhetoric and reality of self-management in long-term conditions: A grounded theory study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 43, 803–8818.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woolf, A. D., Zeidler, H., Haglund, U., Carr, A. J., Chaussade, S., & Cucinotta, D., et al. (2004). Musculoskeletal pain in Europe: Its impact and a comparison of population and medical perceptions of treatment in eight European countries. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 63, 342–347.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Crescent Campus, Sheffield, UK, S10 2BP

    Stephen May MD

Authors
  1. Stephen May MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen May MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD, USA

    Rhonda J. Moore

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

May, S. (2013). Chronic Low Back Pain. In: Moore, R.J. (eds) Handbook of Pain and Palliative Care. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1651-8_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1651-8_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1650-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1651-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation