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Diagnosis

As there are many causes of back pain, an accurate diagnosis is essential. Clinical methods used by Australian Spine Institute members have been successfully used in 26 countries worldwide. These low back evaluation methods have been shown to be more accurate than MRI in diagnosing the cause of low back pain. 

In order to diagnose pain originating from the lumbar spine it is helpful to have a good understanding of the research findings related to:

1. The different types of pain such as: chemical, mechanical, somatic, referred, radicular, neurogenic, psychological, other
2. The possible sources of pain such as: muscles, ligaments, zygapophyseal joints, discs, dura, nerve roots, other.
3. The mechanisms of symptom production such as:

4. The use and limitations of radiographic findings such as: X-rays, CT scans, Myelograms, MRI, discograms, bone scans.
5. The specific questions to be asked to determine the nature and behaviour of the pain
6. The specific tests to be applied to evaluate the structures that maybe involved

It is also useful to understand the mechanisms of other interventions, medical or otherwise, and the effects they may have had on your symptoms.

These findings are matched with the your relevant signs and symptoms to reach a logical and scientific conclusion that is consistent with the research literature.

An appropriate treatment strategy is then developed from analysis of this information.

Treatment

Treatment is based on your specific diagnosis. Australian Spine Institute members emphasize treatment methods that are active, educational and promote independence.

Treatment you may receive include specific exercises, joint mobilisation, joint manipulation, functional restoration programs including strength and conditioning and education on diagnosis, treatment, self management, and prevention.

Clinical findings have demonstrated that only 1% of clients may require manipulation and that up to 30% may require joint mobilization. These techniques are used as adjuncts to treatment and applied only when indicated.

There are many other treatments that are not used by the Australian Spine Institute because of the lack of scientific evidence to support their use in addressing the following factors with spine related pain:

• the cause of the problem
• the healing process
• the long term outcome

These treatment modalities include hot packs, cold packs, ultrasound, magnets, interferential therapy, TENS therapy, short wave diathermy, microwave, infrared lamps, laser, acupuncture, machine traction, iontophoresis, or any other therapies that lack scientific evidence to support their use. These treatment modalities may provide a placebo effect or short term pain reduction.

Our focus is to make you self reliant and independent of therapists for the prevention and management of future episodes of low back pain using research based strategies.

Education

With your specific back complaint, you will receive specific advice and education for your problem. This is important as many back complaints, although seem similar, require different advice to effectively manage them.

Research shows that 80 percent of the population suffer from back pain. Research also shows that once you have had low back pain it is highly likely that it will come back again. In fact, it has been shown to be as high as a 90 percent return rate.

Both of these research findings suggest that people do not have adequate education to know how to prevent back pain.

At the Australian Spine Institute, we value education so highly that it is the cornerstone of our treatment and management programs.

Through education, treatment can then be developed into self treatment strategies which in turn can lead to preventative strategies. This will then provide you with long term self management skills for your back.

Research has shown that education booklets can be just as effective as other treatment programs for low back pain. For further information on educational booklets that show how your back works and how to use it correctly,  go to the Booklets Page

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Last Modified: December 04, 2001