General practice ideas for low back pain

Low back pain is a prevalent health concern in general medical settings that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and can lead to systemic disability. This article seeks to offer general practitioners standardized and clear diagnostic and treatment guidelines by conducting a comprehensive review of relevant literature and exploring the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for low back pain in general practice medicine, with the goal of enhancing the quality of clinical services. The review reveals that general practitioners often encounter challenges in diagnosing and treating complex low back pain stemming from various causes, particularly when advanced diagnostic tools are unavailable, resulting in misdiagnoses and overlooked conditions. Therefore, it is imperative to train general practitioners to adopt a holistic approach and enhance their differential diagnosis skills. The John Mortara safety diagnostic strategy is recommended as it considers a wide range of potential diagnoses, serious illnesses, commonly missed conditions, underlying disorders, and patient-specific information. Regarding treatment, general management strategies encompass non-pharmacological interventions, medication therapy, preventive measures, proactive care, and follow-up appointments. Non-pharmacological treatments like exercise therapy, acupuncture, spinal manipulation, massage, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine approaches have demonstrated positive outcomes in addressing chronic and challenging low back pain conditions. Furthermore, the article underscores the significance of preventive care, including maintaining proper posture, implementing workplace safety measures, engaging in low back exercises, and adopting a healthy diet. These measures not only alleviate low back pain but also help prevent its recurrence. Regular follow-up visits help monitor disease changes, adjust treatment plans, provide psychological support, and promote doctor-patient communication. In summary, general practitioners should adopt a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment when dealing with low back pain, following the biological-psychological-social medical model. They should use safe diagnostic strategies, conduct comprehensive evaluations, and develop reasonable diagnosis and treatment plans. Additionally, attention should be given to patients' mental health to help them establish a positive attitude and improve their quality of life, which is crucial for the treatment and management of low back pain.