09 Sep Happy World Physio Day – 8 September 2024
Today is World Physiotherapy Day. Low back pain (LBP) is a very common and often debilitating condition affecting hundreds of millions of people globally.
It is estimated that around 70 per cent of people who experience an episode of LBP will have a recurrence within 12 months, which adds to the disease and economic burden on individuals and society. It is a common form of back problem that affects most people at some point in their lives. As well as pain, it often leads to psychological distress and poorer quality of life and is a leading cause of disability worldwide (WalkBack Trial for low back pain, 2024).
The Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard released in 2022 provides a road map for healthcare practitioners to help patients manage low back pain episodes early and reduce their chance of ongoing problems. The Commission also partnered with the APA last year to create a quick guide for physiotherapists on the Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard. It provides an evidence-based approach to the early assessment, management, review and referral of patients with low back pain, who present with a new acute episode.