Abstract
Background: Chronic low back pain is among the most common chronic musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. It is prevalent in Thailand, affecting up to 30% of the general population, with much higher rates among manual labourers. Pain self-management, including education, exercise, medication and other components, is an effective strategy for reducing pain intensity and disability rates for chronic low back pain sufferers. Objective: To investigate pain self-management strategies among chronic lower back pain sufferers in Thailand. Methods: The study design was a qualitative interview-based technique. The study setting was an orthopaedic outpatient department at a university hospital in Northern Thailand. Participants (n = 19) were selected based on recruitment criteria, and data was collected using demographic forms and in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative analysis, with Wilcoxon signed-rank test used to assess changes in pain levels. Results: Participants used a combination of pain self-management modalities, including exercise, modified food consumption, increased rest, herbal treatments, hot and cold compression, Thai massage, and acupressure, along with psychological and spiritual coping tools like meditation and making merit. Ability to use these interventions was dependent on medical support from practitioners as well as social and other support. A small, but significant, mean difference in pain was also observed. Conclusion: Findings point to the possibility that there are significant cultural differences in pain self-management modalities and their effectiveness.
Highlights
Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is the chronic experience of low back pain (LBP), which may be defined as “pain and discomfort below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds, with or without referred leg pain” [1]
Participants used a combination of pain self-management modalities, including exercise, modified food consumption, increased rest, herbal treatments, hot and cold compression, Thai massage, and acupressure, along with psychological and spiritual coping tools like meditation and making merit
Findings point to the possibility that there are significant cultural differences in pain self-management modalities and their effectiveness
Summary
Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is the chronic experience of low back pain (LBP), which may be defined as “pain and discomfort below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds, with or without referred leg pain” [1]. While LBP may be acute, CLBP is diagnosed as lasting seven to 12 weeks, LBP is one of the most frequently reported musculoskeletal problems on the global scale. The prevalence of LBP is expected to increase as the global population ages [3]. Both LBP and CLBP need to be considered as serious public health concerns, even though they are frequently dismissed as minor health issues. Chronic low back pain is among the most common chronic musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. It is prevalent in Thailand, affecting up to 30% of the general population, with much higher rates among manual labourers. Pain self-management, including education, exercise, medication and other components, is an effective strategy for reducing pain intensity and disability rates for chronic low back pain sufferers
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