ALARMING INCREASE IN WORKPLACE ABSENTEEISM DUE TO LOW BACK PAIN
Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a major problem and economic burden to society. It is a multifactorial condition and has different biological, psychosocial, genetic, and lifestyle factors involved in its genesis said experts during the National Conference on Multi-disciplinary Approach to Management of Low Back Pain organized by the College of Allied Health Sciences Gulf Medical University on 31st May 2013 at the university campus in Ajman.
Over 250 professionals, physiotherapists, orthopedic surgeons, officials and members of various sports federations and clubs attended the conference. The conference was accredited by the Ministry of Health UAE for 6 CME Hrs.
Psycho-social factors such as fear of pain, catastrophization, fear avoidance, pain beliefs are related to genesis of chronic LBP and should be addressed appropriately. Lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyles have been linked to chronic Lower Back Pain, said Abduladheem Kamkar, Manipulative Physiotherapist, Head of Physiotherapy Section, Dubai Police Health Center, and the owner of Dr. Kamkar Medical and Physiotherapy Center. He also highlighted on the physical and psycho social disturbances in the low back pain especially at the productive age.Prof. Abdel Karim Msaddi, Medical Director, Neuro Spinal
Prof. Abdel Karim Msaddi, Medical Director, Neuro Spinal Hospital discussed about the recent advancements in the Minimal Invasive Spine Surgery techniques for the management of Low Back Pain.
Low Back Pain is essentially subjective, and a greater awareness of the need for taking pain seriously is growing among the public at large. Chronic Low Back Pain, used to be something many patients simply had to learn to “live” with. In recent years, studies have learned a great deal about pain and its physiological basis, leading to pain management that can provide complete or partial pain relief. There are various types of health practitioners that care for patients with Lower Back Pain, and each has a different role. While it is common to start off with an Orthopedician, if the patient’s back pain is resistant to initial treatment, then the services of a Spine Specialist in surgery may be necessary said Dr. Mohammad Kamel Elsayed Ibrahim, Specialist Orthopedician, Gulf Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Ajman.
Dr, Vilas Kanikdaley, Specialist Radiologist, GMC Hospital, Fujairah delivered a lecture on the importance of Medical Imaging in accurate diagnosis of Low Back Pain and in the identification of its pathology. He also presented with the advancements in imaging technologies of spine.
Dr. Muhammad Al Jarrah, Head – Physiotherapy, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi spoke on principles involved in the designing of Physiotherapy protocols for the management Low Back Pain. During this session, Dr Jarrah spoke about the various techniques applied in the clinical management and preventive set ups to treat and prevent complications arising from Lower Back Pain. He also emphasized on the importance and role of applied ergonomics at worksites.
Dr. Ezzat Moghazy, Head of Physiotherapy, Saudi German Hospital demonstrated the application of “Kinesio Taping for Low Back Pain”, which is a recent technique in the field of Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine.
Mr. Praveen Kumar, Associate Dean, College of Allied Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University presented the recent research advancements in Physiotherapy for Low Back Pain and concluded the conference with his presentation on ‘Importance of Clinical Practice Through Evidence Based Approach’.
College of Allied Health Sciences, GMU has been in the forefront in offering Bachelors Program in Physiotherapy over the last 13 years. The college has received an initial approval from the CAA to launch Masters in Physical Therapy Program from November, 2013. The college has also designed over eight bachelors programs, which are under review by the MOHESR, said Mr. Praveen Kumar.
