About Chronic Back Pain

The following statistics in North America make clearly evident that Chronic Back Pain is one of the most significant medical problems in our society today.

•	Chronic Back Pain falls within the top 5 reasons why patients visit a medical doctor --- in fact, 80% of people will see a doctor for back pain at some time during their lifetime.
•	Chronic Back Pain results in more lost work days than any other medical complaint second only to the common cold.
•	Chronic Back Pain is the 5th most common cause for hospitalization and the 3rd most common reason to have surgery.
•	Chronic Back Pain affects both men and women equally without any ethnic predominance.
•	Chronic Back Pain ranks 6th in total dollars spent on medical care.
•	Chronic Back Pain is responsible for 19% of all WCB claims.
•	Chronic Back Pain disability rates are growing 14 times faster than our population growth.

It is not surprising to find out that given the prevalence of chronic back pain in our society today that many different treatment therapies are offered to us with the hope that we will benefit and achieve freedom from the disability caused by chronic back pain.

The unfortunate fact however, is that few therapies alone will result in a significant long-term result for all patients, and most patients with chronic back pain will find themselves going through the revolving door of treatment trying to find the Holy Grail that will cure them of their chronic back pain.

This "revolving door of treatment" very likely reflects the underlying multiple causes of chronic back pain and therefore the need to determine the definite cause of each individual's chronic back pain before determining what specific therapy will most likely benefit that individual.

As one famous medical expert in chronic back pain treatment noted –

The Chronic Back Pain Clinic recognizes that what may work for one chronic back pain patient may not necessarily be effective in helping another. Each individual patient must be evaluated carefully to determine the specific cause of their chronic back pain and the treatment program therefore particularly tailored to address the specific need of each individual patient presenting for care.

Quite frankly, at the Chronic Back Pain Clinic, we feel with most certainty that if a specific treatment program is not effective in producing results within 14 days of initiation of the therapy program, it most likely is the wrong modality of therapy and continuation of that treatment is unlikely to produce any significant improvement.

At that point, there must be either an alternate therapy to offer the patient with a reasonable expectation of success, or arrangements must be made to refer that patient to a higher level of care for further investigation and management.

Simply stated, that is the keystone policy at the Chronic Back Pain Clinic.