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Resources

For people who are living with pain 

and their support network

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Videos

Separating Fact from Fiction

An interview with Prof. Peter O'Sullivan
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  • What the research says
  • Problems with MRI
  • Things clinicians say that scare patients
  • Unhelpful behaviours and beliefs can drive pain and disability
  • Pain is multidimensional 
  • Fear drives behaviour

Hope for change

Dr Rangan Chatterjee interviews Prof. Peter O'Sullivan
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  • From the Feel Better Live More podcast 
  • Back facts everyone should know
  • Learn about what is healthy for your back
  • Personal pain stories
  • Lets help people develop hope

Back Facts

Facts about the cause of pain...


Why
does my back hurt?

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Do I need a scan to find the cause of my back pain?

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Does scoliosis and curvature of the spine mean I will be more susceptible to back pain?

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If there is nothing on my scan, does it mean the pain is in my head?

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Why hasn't my pain gotten better?

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Will my back pain get worse with age?

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Are back pain 'flare-ups' a sign of injury and tissue damage?

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When I get back pain and stiffen up, does it mean my back is out of place?

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Facts about managing back pain...

Do I need a lot of treatment for my back pain?

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Is there a cure for my low back pain?

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Are painful movements and activities a sign I am doing damage?

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Is holding a 'good' posture important for my back pain?

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Is it dangerous to bend and lift with a round back?

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Do I need to tense my core to protect my back?

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Will I wear out my back by loading it?

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Are strong drugs needed?

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If my back pain hasn't improved with lots of treatment dos it mean I need surgery?

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Stories of Recovery

Hear from people who have had disabling low back pain.

Learn how they restored trust in their back and built confidence to take control of their life.

Joe's journey
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  • Firefighter with active hobbies
  • "My doctor said I have the back of a 60yo"
  • Avoiding activity and good posture didn't help
  • Lost hope
Ann's journey
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  • Retired grandmother
  • Tried many interventions with many clinicians and was told to give up being active
  • MRI - bulging discs and degeneration
  • "I was so stiff, so tense and so frightened...I became less confident with everything, and depressed"
Jon's journey
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  • Australian Aboriginal man and basketballer
  • Couldn't exercise for his mental health
  • "I couldn't contribute at home or work"
  • After side-effects from medication, underwent surgery, but the pain remained
Alison's journey
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  • CFO and triathlete
  • Quit job and stopped training
  • Surgeon couldn't see anything wrong on MRI, in fact it was 'better' than most
  • "I was broken and in a dark place"
Sam's journey
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  • Mum and nurse
  • At 20 was told - "you'll be in a wheelchair by 40"
  • Chronic fatigue, disempowered, confused, depressed
  • Avoided playing with kids and living in a state of fear
Jack's journey
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  • Quit manual job and football
  • Was told "you have the back of a 70 year old"
  • Felt that back was "in pieces"
  • Very guarded and protective
Becky's journey
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  • Widespread low back to neck pain after crashing bicycle
  • Post-traumatic stress response
  • Ongoing pain despite going to doctors, physio, Pilates, acupuncture and trying stand up desk and different chairs
  • Was told - "you need to brace your core"

Infographics

Co-designed by researchers and clinicians in partnership with people living with back pain, these infographics summarise the evidence about the most common questions asked by people with low back pain.

The following two infographics were developed by researchers and clinicians in partnership with people living with back pain. They summarise the most common questions that people with low back pain and the evidence regarding them. They are designed to share with patients who have questions about back pain and its management and guide clinicians how they might be able to communicate with their patients about their condition.

"From Despair to Living Again" outlines the journey of a person recovering from persistent disabling low back pain.

Trusted Information

Clinical Guidelines

The Australian Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard

In 2022, the Australian Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard was released, providing 8 quality statements describing the care people should receive when presenting with a new acute episode of low back pain

The Clinical Care Standard was developed due to growing personal and societal costs of low back pain in Australia and marked variation in the use of medical imaging, opioid prescription and spinal surgery. The 8 quality statements were derived from high-quality research and guideline evidence by expert clinicians, researchers and health care service stakeholders.

International Low Back Pain Clinical Guidelines

  • Screening for serious pathology / red flags
  • Appropriate referral for medical imaging (i.e. eliminating routine referrals)
  • Psychological therapy (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy)
  • Provide patient education
  • Movement and exercise
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK)
American College of Physicians (USA)
World Health Organisation

painHEALTH

painHEALTH is designed to help living with musculoskeletal pain to access practical evidence-based information and skills to assist in their musculoskeletal pain care. 
Promoting timely access to reliable and practical pain management resources for people living with persistent musculoskeletal pain.
Visit the painHEALTH website now  

youngpainHEALTH

youngpainHEALTH was co-created in partnership with young people with lived experience of chronic musculoskeletal pain and clinical experts for young people living with persisting musculoskeletal pain.
youngpainHEALTH provides accessible, credible and practical information, resources, tips and skills to help young people with pain to manage their pain and improve their quality of life.
Visit the youngpainHEALTH website now  

NHS University Hospitals
Coventry and Warwickshire

The University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust have put together some wonderful evidence based resources about back pain and other body areas. 

  Follow to NHS resources   

Share

Share with your healthcare team
Let your healthcare team know about these resources if you find them helpful. 
Share with your friends and family
Help your friends and family who have pain, or help them understand how you can best manage your condition.