GUIDELINES FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS TO REHABILITATION OF BACK INJURIES

Not all patients with back pain recover within the expected natural re covery period. Addressing only the physical component and ignoring the psychosocial may lead to treatment failure. Recognition of typical ci rcumstances that may become barriers to rehabilitation enhances the re covery process. Barriers to rehabilitation and questions to help deter mine their existence are discussed. Asking pertinent questions enables clinicians to identify chose who may need redirection. This re-direct ion may reduce treatment time, resulting in cost savings for the third party payer and a reduction in health care dollars spent on rehabilit ation. Most importantly, resolution of possible barriers and rapid rec overy allows the patient to return to a normal lifestyle.