Resources
Informed by our extensive research, our resources have been designed to help clinicians and patients better manage low back pain.
Explore our resources below.
Understanding my low back pain and whether I need imaging
Low back pain is a common disorder affecting up to four out of five people at some time during their life. Medical imaging is commonly used to help manage low back pain even though the underlying cause of back pain cannot usually be seen in imaging.
The Understanding my low back pain and whether I need imaging booklet was developed using previous research and feedback from practitioners and patients. Designed as a free clinical resource for healthcare practitioners treating patients with low back pain, the booklet can help these practitioners:
- reduce unnecessary medical imaging
- improve communication between clinicians and patients
- aid patient education and understanding about low back pain
- improve low back pain management.
The booklet was developed by a team of researchers at:
- Macquarie University
- Sydney University
- Queens University (Canada).
The work was led by Dr Hazel Jenkins.
The booklet has been designed to complement a standard consultation and should only be used with patients with acute, uncomplicated low back pain, with no signs or symptoms of serious pathology (eg cancer or infection).
The booklet and associated resources are available for viewing and download.
- Digital booklet and associated instructions
- Print-ready booklet
- Practitioner information sheet
- Practitioner information video
Contact Dr Hazel Jenkins for more information.
Low Back Pain Curriculum Content Standards (LBP-CCS)
These standards have been designed for academic programs that provide entry-level education for healthcare professionals. These standards aim to guide the development or review of curriculum content related to the management of low back pain in primary care.
The standards were developed by a team of academics, clinicians, consumers and researchers, including representatives from 11 different countries and across a range of healthcare professions.
Steering group
- Dr Hazel Jenkins (Macquarie University)
- Professor Mark Hancock (Macquarie University)
- Dr Benjamin Brown (Macquarie University)
- Dr Mary O’Keefe (Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Musculoskeletal Health)
- Associate Professor Niamh Moloney (University of Auckland, New Zealand)
- Professor Chris Maher (Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Musculoskeletal Health)
Working group
| Member | Specialty/area | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Fiona Blyth | Medicine – general practice | Australia |
| Dawn Carnes | Osteopathy | England |
| Chad Cook | Physiotherapy | America |
| Ben Darlow | Physiotherapy, primary health care | New Zealand |
| Renee de Ruijter | Physiotherapy | Switzerland |
| Julie Fritz | Physiotherapy | America |
| Brona Fullen | Physiotherapy | Ireland |
| Doug Gross | Physiotherapy | Canada |
| Jill Hayden | Chiropractic | Canada |
| Jonathan Hill | Physiotherapy | England |
| Jaro Karppinen | Medicine – physical and rehabilitation medicine | Finland |
| Greg Kawchuk | Chiropractic | Canada |
| Alice Kongsted | Chiropractic | Denmark |
| Deborah Kopansky-Giles | Chiropractic | Canada |
| Henrik Hein Lauridsen | Chiropractic | Denmark |
| Michael Lee | Chiropractic, physiotherapy | Australia |
| Quinette Louw | Physiotherapy | South Africa |
| Kerry Mace | Consumer | Australia |
| James McAuley | Psychology | Australia |
| Andrew McLachlan | Pharmacy | Australia |
| Chris Mercer | Physiotherapy | England |
| Peter O’Sullivan | Physiotherapy | Australia |
| Sue Reid | Physiotherapy | Australia |
| Anna Ryan | Medicine chiropractic | Australia |
| Paolo Sanzo | Physiotherapy | Canada |
| Edward Vresilovic | Medicine – orthopaedic surgery | America |
| Arnold Wong | Physiotherapy | Hong Kong |