Empowering Communities Through Movement: A Novel Strategy for Managing Low Back Pain in a Lower-Middle-Income Country

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common reason for healthcare consultations globally among people with musculoskeletal disorders. There is an avalanche of treatment approaches for managing LBP, but they have had little success due to the lack of global consensus regarding the management approach. The escalating cost and the burden of care associated with LBP require treatment approaches that empower patients to manage their health conditions. Given the evolving models of practice that are premised on patient-centered approaches, developing a blueprint to empower patients with LBP to manage their pain is worthwhile. This chapter discusses the etiology and conservative treatment options available for managing LBP, followed by a robust and comprehensive review and analysis of the literature on the efficacy of physical therapy in managing LBP, including appraisal of the mechanisms of action of exercise and manipulative therapies in the management of LBP. The chapter explores patient-centered approaches to evaluating and managing LBP, the Ghana conceptual model that empowers patients to manage their LBP, the characteristics of research studies, the barriers to using clinical practice guidelines for LBP management in Ghana., prevention and interdisciplinary care. Using vignettes and case studies, this chapter highlights the crucial role of physical therapists in preventing and managing low back pain, demonstrating how meticulously designed interventions can restore mobility, alleviate discomfort, and enhance functional resilience.