In This Issue:

- Introduction

- The Facts About Drug Therapy

- Spinal Injections Don't Measure Up

- Surgery as a Last Resort

- Watchful Waiting Can Be Your Friend

- Introduction:

Back pain is the fifth most common complaint people bring to a primary care doctor. At some point, almost everyone experiences low back pain, and those who deal with it regularly can fall victim to a host of misguided treatments.

I've written before in my patient safety blog about the dangers of spinal laser surgery and premature imaging for low back pain.

Now, new studies confirm that caregivers routinely ignore best practices for treating back pain. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that doctors prescribe powerful, addictive narcotics instead of other recommended painkillers, and recommend unwarranted diagnostic imagery. Another study in the Journal of the American Medical Association about spinal injection therapy didn't yield the widespread positive outcomes hoped for.

Knowing how back pain is routinely treated incorrectly can help you find the right treatment when and if your back demands attention.