Lecture 1 discusses some common misconceptions about back pain and why it is important for clinicians to be aware of peoples’ beliefs and fears related to back pain. The lecture addresses the concept of reassurance and how clinicians may support helpful back pain beliefs and communicate in a way that supports patients’ sense of pain control.

Lecture 2 talks about how education might help people improve from back pain and pain related activity limitations. Next, it is discussed if there is a mismatch between positive key messages of patient education and offering other treatments for back pain such as exercise therapy or manual therapy. The lecture addresses how conflicting messages might emerge in back pain care and points to aspects for clinicians to be aware of to avoid these.

Learning objectives

> You should be able to address some of the reasons why patient education should be integrated in back pain care. 

> You should be able to discuss how patient education can be integrated with other parts of the treatment for back pain.