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Effective health care is still a very inexact science. Sometimes it is more art than science. And when it comes to chronic low back pain (LBP), we just don't always have the answers.
There is a curious phenomenon that has been noted over and over. People with no back pain whatsoever can have X-rays and MRIs or CT scans that look like they should have problems. And some patients with severe, constant LBP can have perfectly normal looking imaging results.
No one really knows how to interpret this information. Except to say that either way (changes or no changes) imaging studies alone cannot be relied upon to make a diagnosis.
More and more, we are moving from a biomedical model to a biopsychosocial model of health care for patients with chronic LBP of unknown cause. The biomedical model focuses on the patient’s signs and symptoms. It was assumed that there was some disease or pathology present. Treatment was directed toward this disease process.
Over time it became clear that this model didn't bring about the desired results. The pain persisted and without a known cause. Then in 1977, the biopsychosocial model was put forth. Instead of looking at mechanical and pathologic changes, it was suggested to pay attention to the patient's social and psychologic factors.
Now, 30 years later, there still isn't strong evidence of lasting effects on chronic LBP using this approach. Sorting out each patient's unique factors can take time and many visits to multiple health care professionals.
Surgery is usually a last resort because there isn't enough evidence that this approach works well enough to subject the patient to the trauma and expense. Your success in finding the right treatment for you is cause for celebration!
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