This GP advice to patients is taken from Workshop 7.
Suggested form of words for GPs to use with people they think have acute (under 4 weeks) non-specific back pain after interview and brief back exam. (not for use with recurrent episodic back pain)
"The good news is that you don't appear to have anything serious causing your back pain and there is no sign of a trapped nerve or slipped disc.
That means that if we get you more comfortable with medication and you try to keep active, you are most likely to recover in the next few days or weeks.
I don't need to see you again unless it gets worse or the symptoms change in the next few days or if you are not getting better within the next 10-14 days.
At that point you may still have some pain, but things should be improving and you should be back to most of your usual activities.
If not, we can perhaps move it on with a referral to someone who can incorporate exercise and manipulation.
Do you have any questions?"
Note: If it doesn't, a repeat exam to make sure it is still non-specific back pain can be done
