The Physician as Disability Advisor for Back Pain Patients

Abstract

Recently, researchers have begun to acknowledge the importance of physicians ' disability recommendations. Not surprisingly, findings have revealed that a complex interaction of physician, patient, social, and political factors influence physician recommendations. This chapter will explore current knowledge about physician disability recommendations for patients with LBP. It will also review results of attempts to influence these recommendations, and suggest areas where further research may be beneficial.

Inciting events associated with lumbar disc herniation

“…Patient-identified inciting events may be physical activities, such as lifting events or sports activities, or they may be non-exertional occurrences, such as the act of coughing or sneezing. Although it is infeasible to prove a causative link between any specific inciting event and the occurrence of disk herniation, a patient’s belief in such a link alone may be sufficient to affect cognition about the risk of injury with activities and the success of a function-oriented therapeutic regimen[1]. …”