Helpful Resources
The resources listed below will give you a better idea about how to manage your own low back pain, measure your progress, and have more informed discussions with the clinical professionals who are treating you.
CLICK HERE and use the contact form to reach out to me if there are any other resources you would like me to consider putting on this page.
Also, please check back to this page frequently as updated resources are continually added.
Remember, “Discovery Calls” are always free if you have questions about SpineCamp programs and how they can help you get back to the life you desire.
Solve YOUR OWN Low Back Pain? The Motion Response Self Test is a brief questionnaire that gives you a good idea about if you are someone who could solve low back pain, on your own, by using just a few simple, and straight-forward movements. Click below to take the assessment.
Keeping Your Score: The Modified Oswestry Index: This is one of the most commonly used questionnaires to define a baseline for low back function, measure your progress, and to help you compare what to expect from one type of treatment versus another.
Unfortunately, too many clinicians today do NOT make use of this, and rely on only subjectivse judgement about how their patients are doing.
Click below to take your own assessment to see where you currently stand, and get an idea of the type of progress you should be making. Knowing your “scores” will also give you a better idea of whether or NOT you even need treatment.
Arrange for a Free Discovery Call: Many of you have questions because of getting multiple different opinions about what should be done to solve your low back pain. I commonly work with people like you to answer your questions, with absolutely no conflict of interest, and help you see what needs to be considered to make these important decisions. During this FREE call, I will listen to your situation and give you an idea of how I work with you and the fees that are involved.
Fear of Movement Assessment: Kinesiophobia is a term used to describe fear of movement that is in excess of any physical harm that could result from movement or activity. Knowing that it can be alarming to try to move when you are in pain, there have been numerous studies that have shown that such fear can impede any progress and lead to long term problems becoming more difficult to treat, and also a lower quality of life.
The Tampa Kinesiophobia Test is designed to give you an idea if fear of movement or reinjury could be hampering your progress.
Beck Depression On Line Assessment: It is not entirely clear if low back pain is due to depression, or depression is due to suffering with continued low back pain. However, it is clear that depression does negatively effect a person’s chances of having a successful recovery with any type of back pain treatment they may receive. This is especially important if surgery is being considered. Click below to take the FREE Beck Depression Screening Test.
The STaRT Screening Tool is used to help determine the initial type of treatment a person should consider. Rating high on this scale places someone at considerable risk for treatment failure, especially when more aggressive treatments are being considered. A higher scale also suggests that, in addition to any physical form of treatment, mental-behavioural approaches would likely be helpful. Click below to download the STaRT screening tool.
Guidelines for Imaging (MRI, etc) Over the years, it has become clear that advanced imaging is being used more often. Unfortunately, many people are under the impression that such imaging is an accurate way to diagnose the source of the pain. However, in most cases, that could not be further from the truth, and in fact, can lead to more needless tests, create greater expense, and even increase the risk of a patient to have surgery that will NOT be effective. Click the button below to read an excellent blog post discussing the hidden dangers of advanced imaging and how, for most people, it is NOT necessary.
The American College of Family Physicians has also recently released guidelines about imaging describing where and when it should be used. You can view this by clicking below.
CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opoid Pain Medication: The risks of opoid pain medication (death, addiction, etc), and the increase with which they have been prescribed have been well documented over the last few years. If you are now on, or considering, narcotic medication, you should be aware of guidelines published by the CDC. Click below to review them.