Physical Therapists as First-Contact Nonphysician Providers

Abstract

The article entitled “Physical Therapy Care for Low Back Pain” (Physical Therapy, February 1988 issue) was very interesting. I concur with the authors that physical therapy should be considered as an initial treatment alternative to physician care. The study demonstrated that physical therapy as initial treatment used fewer prescriptions and imposed fewer restrictions on the patient's daily activities than did physician care. The study also showed that patients treated by physicians were seen more times and had more recurrences of low back pain than the patients treated by physical therapists. The study was very thorough, throughout the course of treatment and including the follow-up questionnaire. The reviewing of the patient's clinical chart at the end of six months gave a good overview of the patient's condition for a suitable period of time. In closing, I would like to see a future study of chiropractic care, physical therapy, and physician care. Steven S. Overman, MD Minor and James Medical Group, 515 Minor, Ste 300, Seattle, WA 98104 John W. Larson, Pt Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy, Pacific Medical Center, 1200 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144