Evidence Based Rehab

The APTA recently released an article on the benefits of seeing a Physical Therapist (PT) for back pain. They point out that despite a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that even with rising costs associated with back pain there has been no improvements in care, PT's have an excellent track record with the public, and more importantly, in the literature showing our effectiveness in treating back pain with out surgery or drugs.

Consumers need to know that physical therapist management is a low-cost, high-value alternative to drugs and surgery to deal with musculoskeletal pain," said APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "The judicious use of appropriate physical therapist treatment based on best evidence can improve the function of people who struggle with back and neck conditions." Ward added, "Because patients with chronic, disabling low back pain account for a disproportionate share of health care expenditures and workers' compensation costs, the potential cost savings of an early, effective intervention to prevent individuals from progressing to chronic disability may be considerable.

Here is the link to the press release.

Labels: AMA, APTA, evidence based medicine, LBP, Low back pain, manipulation, outcomes, physical therapist, physical therapy