Date of Award

1998

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Peggy Mohr

Keywords

Low Back Pain -- psychology

Abstract

Low back pain continues to represent the leading musculoskeletal cause of disability in the United States and is the most frequently reported condition for which people receive outpatient physical therapy. In several of these instances, evaluation reveals no known pathological cause for a patient's symptoms. Studies have shown that psychological factors can play a role in the presentation of low back pain. In order to effect treatment, assessment tools are needed that can be utilized by physical therapists to identify the presence of these psychological factors. The purpose of this literature review is to outline methods of assessment that the physical therapist can use to identify the presence of psychological factors contributing to the presentation of low back pain and outline a course of treatment based on those findings.

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