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- Page navigation anchor for RE: Managing low back pain - Canadian Family Physician August 2021, 67 (8) 597; DOI: https://doi.org/10.46747/cfp.6708597RE: Managing low back pain - Canadian Family Physician August 2021, 67 (8) 597; DOI: https://doi.org/10.46747/cfp.6708597
It is somewhat surprising that the Low Back Pain scenario and the CORE outline to which it referred do not contain any references to the most common cause of back pain, this being muscular or myofascial. With a little more focused history-taking and physical examination it is quite likely that, instead of arriving at a differential diagnosis of exclusion, the practitioner could have made a diagnosis of inclusion, particularly an overuse strain of the quadratus lumborum muscle. With specific management (dry needling, myofascial release, muscle energy techniques) a specific diagnosis may be achieved and the patient treated on the spot, often with considerable immediate relief.
An understanding of the myofascial causes of our most common pain complaints is essential for all primary health care providers. Office management of these pain complaints is one of the most rewarding things we can do in our busy days.Competing Interests: None declared.