Low Back Pain

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The purpose of this course is to provide healthcare professionals with a greater understanding of the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis of low back pain conditions so they may effectively treat or manage low back pain, resulting in improved patient health, quality of life, and satisfaction. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Outline the epidemiology of back pain, including economic and societal costs.
2. Identify modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for back pain.
3. Review prognostic factors for unsatisfactory treatment response or progression to chronic low back pain.
4. Describe the clinical course of low back pain.
5. Describe the pathophysiology of the different types of back pain.
6. Outline the assessment and diagnosis of low back pain, including "red flags" evident on the initial assessment.
7. Assess approaches to enhancing the assessment of low back pain.
8. Compare available approaches for the management of acute and chronic low back pain.
9. Describe non-drug therapies that may be helpful for low back pain.
10. Discuss the use of complementary and alternative modalities for the treatment of low back pain.
11. Review the available oral pharmacotherapies for the treatment of low back pain.
12. Compare and contrast topical medications for the management of low back pain.
13. Evaluate the efficacy of spinal surgery to manage low back pain.
14. Assess the indications and potential benefits of epidural injections for the management of low back pain.
15. Identify barriers to the effective care of chronic back pain.

This 15-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.