LAUSR

This fourth and final BJSM editorial spotlighting Lancet ’s 2018 low back pain (LBP) series1 2 focuses on four ways clinicians can provide patients with an invaluable treatment—education. This editorial excludes public education via mass media as that has been covered previously.3 Nelson Mandela asserted that ‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world’ and education is recognised as the first line treatment for individuals with LBP.1 2 Education is a low-risk, low-cost intervention—the foundation for managing LBP. At the same time education’s modest effect size means it is not a panacea for the condition. In this editorial we aim to provide BJSM readers with a four-step accelerated and concise summary of how to use the education evidence to treat individuals with back pain. Traditional clinical training prepares us to ask people with LBP a series of questions to help pinpoint the pain ‘source’ to guide management. However, we are usually unable to identify any one source or pain generator, and instead LBP involves a complex interplay of multiple factors.4 Therefore, gathering …