Evidence-based Diagnosis and Treatment of Back and Neck Complaints: The New ACOEM Back and Neck Guidelines

TRACK: OEM Clinical Practice

Jeffrey S. Harris, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOEM, The Permanente Medical Group, Mill Valley, CA
Kurt T. Hegmann, MD, MPH, FACOEM, University of Utah Rocky Mountain Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Kathryn L. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACOEM, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO

Back and neck complaints are among the most common conditions that occupational physicians treat. The new ACOEM neck and chronic low back guidelines provide information on the evidence, or lack thereof, for the benefits and harms of tests, treatments, procedures, and medications used for these complaints. The session will discuss and apply the best evidence on topics such as: the evidence supporting exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other non-pharmacologic treatments; the use of medications in chronic back pain and neck complaints; the benefits, risk, and appropriate use of spinal injections; and the risks and benefits of surgery versus conservative therapy for common spinal conditions. Participants will develop strategies and sequential plans to manage medical care and disability in their practice. Methods of appraising and synthesizing evidence and the process of guideline development to better understand the importance of the guidelines will also be discussed. This session may be of particular interest to residents and recent graduates.