Treating Chronic Low Back Pain Without Opioids

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to address the significance of chronic low back pain in the United States, as well as the surge in opioid use. In the United States, opioids have become the most commonly prescribed class of drug. Because of their addictive nature, their propensity to cause physical dependence, the body’s inevitable natural tolerance, and the risk of overdose, opioids cannot be considered an effective treatment for chronic back pain management. Increasing abdominal muscle strength has been shown to significantly reduce lower back pain. Therefore, this paper will focus on interventions including yoga, Pilates, and core stabilization programs. This paper will propose an evidence-based algorithm for the implementation of movement therapies. Primary care providers will utilize a stoplight visual to help the patient determine appropriate therapy to be implemented based on pain. The patient would rate their pain each day and follow the protocol for the corresponding category. Different interventions would be used based on three different categories: green (pain score: 0-3), yellow (pain score: 4-7), and red (pain score: 8-10). The author proposes that this algorithm will result in decreases in pain, use of opioid medications, and cost of pain management for chronic low back pain.