Worsening Trends in the Management and Treatment of Back Pain: SPARK National Radio Media Tour

In an article published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Internal Medicine,

Mafi JN, McCarthy EP, Davis RB, Landon BE. Worsening Trends in the Management and Treatment of Back Pain. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;():-. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.8992.

we get some clarity on how physicians have been attempting to diagnose and treat back pain since 1999.

Findings show that prescription of opiate pain reducing drugs has increased by almost 10% while lower risk over the counter medications and proven effective conservative physical treatment has plateaued or decreased; this in spite of consistently produced evidence that this is a more effective first line for the acute and chronic back pain patient.

Along with over prescribed dangerous and habit forming medications, the use and overuse of CT scans and MRI adds to health care costs with little in the way of improving outcomes.

We were approached by Fox News Radio to do a media tour to shed some light on this subject and the overall topic of how to be your best advocate for all-the-way-well care.

I had a great time sharing our experience and discussing the most current evidence for self and professional treatment. If you missed the radio spots on August 2nd, check the links below to see how it went down:

http://www.600kcol.com/pages/600kcolmornings.html

http://www.1140wrva.com/pages/jimmysnewpage.html

http://www.wilm.com/pages/elliott.html

http://www.whas.com/pages/tonycruise.html

Dr. Carlos J Berio, PT, DPT, MS, CSCS, CMTPT is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist. In addition he holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology. He has treated high school, collegiate, recreational, and professional athletes of various sports including baseball, softball, football, hockey, tennis, swimming, golf and the martial arts. His experience as a collegiate and semi-professional athlete as well as a professional baseball coach make him a sought after resource among elite level athletes on the field and in the training room. The concept of 'all the way well' in his work as a physical therapist and fitness professional is what continues to drive Dr. Berio to be the best movement specialist there is.

Dr. Berio is the founder of SPARK Physiotherapy in Alexandria, Virginia. A clinic and approach designed from the ground up to set the new standard for integrity and patient satisfaction in the PT industry. Carlos remains active in several sports and enjoys agility training, power lifting and adventure races. He is an advocate for his patients, clients and his fellow PT colleagues. He can be reached at cjberio@sparkphysio.com