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December 2020
Educating patients about low back painEvidence has shown that unnecessary or routine imaging, such as X-rays, MRIs and CT scans for low back pain, isn’t associated with improved outcomes. Low back pain usually improves within the first two weeks, according to National Committee for Quality Assurance. Avoidable imaging can put patients at risk of unnecessary treatments, surgeries and radiation exposure. When noninvasive, conservative regimens fail and surgery or therapeutic injection appear to be the only options, imaging may be considered a necessary part of the treatment plan. To assist providers, the Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium routinely updates guidelines for assessment, diagnosis and treatment of low back pain. To help educate patients on low back pain, unnecessary imaging and treatments, the Federal Employee Program® has created a flyer on low back pain. The American Academy of Family Physicians also provides education** for patients. This information isn’t intended to offer professional medical advice; it’s for informational purposes only. **Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan doesn’t own or control this website. |
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