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Resources

For people who are living with persistent low back pain 

and their support network

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Videos

Interviews, back facts and
stories of recovery

Infographics

Useful infographics for people with low back pain

Trusted Information

Medical guidelines, and websites with up-to-date information

General Information 

The information provided is based on the latest scientific evidence but is for general information purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.


Advice to Users

People who have pain should discuss any information presented here with their healthcare team before making any decisions.


No Doctor-Patient Relationship

The information provided does not create a doctor-patient or clinician-client relationship.


Limitation of Liability

EVOOLVE, its directors, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any damages, losses, or adverse outcomes arising from the use of this information.


As Is

This information is provided ‘as is’ without any warranties, express or implied.


Updates

EVOOLVE reserves the right to update or modify this information and these disclaimers at any time without notice.


Governing Law

These disclaimers are governed by the laws of Western Australia.


There are different kinds of low back pain - 'non-specific' and 'specific'.

Non-specific low back pain

For most people (90-95%) back pain is NOT attributed to a ‘specific’ disease process or serious pathology. This type of back pain is associated with sensitivity of the spinal structures that is attributable to a variety of different factors.

These may include: mechanical strain, muscle tension, poor sleep, being run down, tired, stressed, tense, sad, inactive or over-active, as well as the health of the spinal structures (e.g. disc degeneration, arthritis, disc bulges with no nerve compression). These factors vary for each person thereby influencing their level of pain and disability.

Specific low back pain

Some types of back pain are caused by serious health problems. These can include cancer, infections, broken bones, diseases that cause swelling in the joints, like spondyloarthropathy or problems with organs inside your body. These causes are rare and happen in about 1 out of 100 people, but they need quick medical attention.

About 5 out of 100 people have back pain because a nerve is being squeezed. This can make their leg feel weak or numb. In rare cases, it can also cause problems with going to the toilet. This needs urgent medical care.
Consult your health professional so that they can screen you to determine whether your back pain is related to 'specific' pathology.

The following information is for people who have 'non-specific' low back pain.

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"
Martin's journey
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  • School principle and rugby player
  • Received an MRI resulting in a belief that he needed to protect his back
  • Performed lots of 'core' exercise
  • Very guarded and protective

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, who does not have specific pathology.

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 people living with persistent 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.  
A hybrid learning portal integrating cutting-edge research, clinical innovations, and resources for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain.

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admin@evoolvepaincare.academy

Evထlve Pain Care Academy recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s first peoples. We acknowledge the unique connection that First Nations peoples have to land, waters and the environment. We extend this recognition and respect to First Nations peoples and communities around the world.

The information provided is general information only.

Clinicians should use their own professional judgement in determining the best care for each patient.

People who have pain should consult with their healthcare team before acting on any information.

The content does not create any formal clinical or doctor-patient relationship.

EVOOLVE, its directors, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any damages, losses, or adverse outcomes arising from the use of this information.

This information is provided ‘as is’ without any warranties, express or implied.

EVOOLVE reserves the right to update or modify this information and these disclaimers at any time without notice.

These disclaimers are governed by the laws of Western Australia.

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Evoolve Pain Care Academy Pty Ltd (ABN 13672998168)
215 Nicholson Rd, Shenton Park,
Western Australia 6008

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