Exercise will be new focus of back treatment

Self-treatment of pain comes to the fore

PEOPLE suffering lower back pain will no longer be offered acupuncture, electrotherapies or spinal injections after November 1.

Instead they will be encouraged to self treat with painkillers and gentle exercise for around six weeks before seeking GP advice.

The move come follows guidance changes by the Government’s treatments’ advisory body, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

It means the new primary focus of care will be physical activity and physiotherapy.

The changes have prompted health chiefs in the county to launch a consultation and they want to hear the views of patients in Hinckley and Bosworth who will be affected.

Back pain, especially lower back pain, is a major problem in the UK, costing the country almost £1 billion a year in absences from work.

Despite its prevalence there are many misconceptions about solutions. In the past, rest has often been suggested as a remedy, but now experts believe gentle exercise to gradually increase flexibility can help relieve symptoms.

Therapies such as acupuncture and electrical stimulation, while previously popular, have now been shown to have little impact.

A spokesman for West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, which buys health care for the borough and is a joint partner in the survey, said: “From November 1 there will be stronger emphasis on actions that patients can take themselves at the first onset of back pain

“Increased focus on physical activity, physiotherapy and rehabilitation in the community, which have shown to be very beneficial in tackling and preventing back pain and are recommended by NICE

“Treatments such as acupuncture, electrotherapies (TENS) and spinal injections - excluding epidurals - will not be offered to new patients from November 1, as there is limited evidence of their effectiveness.”

Patients already on a course will continue to be treated but reminded of alternative options going forward.

Those waiting for a course to begin will be contacted and asked whether they want to choose physiotherapy instead or carry on with the original plan.

The results of the survey, which ends on December 3, will be used to inform the development of future treatment schedules.

The survey is online at https://www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/LBPCPIG2017 or hard copies are available from Jo Ryder, head of engagement and patient experience at Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group on 0116 295 1123. The survey can be returned at the freepost address at the bottom of the survey.