Referring Health Practitioners
Consenting patients will be randomised into either an evidence-based advice group or evidence-based advice with specific treatment group. Importantly, both groups will receive treatment beneficial for their low back pain and are expected to improve. The purpose of the trials is to evaluate whether the addition of specific treatment commonly prescribed by physiotherapists gives patients any further benefit to evidence-based advice.
The specific treatment received will depend on the type of low back pain the patient presents with. Patients will be classified into one of the following five subgroups:
- Discogenic pain responsive to a “McKenzie approach”;
- Discogenic pain not responsive to a McKenzie approach;
- Facetogenic pain responsive to a manual therapy approach;
- Disc herniation with associated radiculopathy;
- Multi-factorial persistent low back pain incorporating psychosocial distress and increased neural sensitivity.
Patients referred will be screened for the following eligibility criteria:
- Aged 18 – 65 and 6 months;
- No previous back surgery;
- No WorkCover or TAC claim for the back problem;
- Be able to complete written questionnaires in English;
The Trial Administrator will then contact your patient for the earliest possible appointment at one of our thirteen (13) STOPS Trial Clinics. A STOPS Physiotherapist will keep in contact with you regarding the progress of your patient.
Practitioners can refer patients to the STOPS Trials by completing the referral form (downloadable from the link on the above right).
The completed referral form can be sent to the STOPS Trial Administrator by:
- Email to backpain@pac.com.au
- Fax to (03) 9778 6663
Please note that your patient will not incur any charge for treatment provided in the STOPS Trials. If, on assessment, your patient is deemed ineligible, or they do not consent to randomisation, they will be offered a no obligation treatment program at a discounted rate of $45.00 per consultation for a minimum of five sessions.
For more information on the STOPS trials, please contact us by email or by calling Dr Jon Ford on 0422 244 183.