Managing Neck and Back Pain

Based on the latest evidence – Prof Peter O’Sullivan outlines the myths and facts about back and neck pain and demonstrates practical and effective ways to self-manage it. Spinal pain is one of the most disabling health care disorders and commonly reported in dentists, with 50% reporting neck pain and 30% back pain. Historically, spinal  pain has been thought to be caused by damage or degeneration of the spine, weakness of the core muscles and or ‘poor’ posture. However, there is little strong evidence to support these beliefs. In contrast, there is growing  evidence that spinal pain is complex and is influenced by a combination of factors such as genetics, gender, poor sleep patterns, inactivity, stress,  muscle tension, fatigue and low mood. Persistent and disabling spinal pain is associated with complex processes where the body becomes overprotective and the nervous system over-sensitive. Cognitive Functional Therapy is a personalised, evidence-based approach that educates people about their pain, combined with pain control strategies to effectively manage it. Peter’s team's groundbreaking research in The Lancet showed this approach is more effective than usual care in reducing pain and activity limitation in people with chronic low back pain.

Professor Peter O’Sullivan is a professor at the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, and works as a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist (awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2005) at Bodylogic Physiotherapy, Shenton Park. He and his team conduct clinical research investigating personalised management of persistent and disabling musculoskeletal pain disorders. With his team, Peter has developed an integrated person-centred management approach for disabling musculoskeletal pain disorders called ‘cognitive functional therapy’. He has published over 320 papers including a recent trial in The Lancet. He has been an invited speaker at more than 120 National and International conferences and has run clinical workshops in over 24 countries. Peter’s passion is  translating research into clinical practice.