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What is the Natural History of Low Back Pain? It Depends

March 14, 2025 / Leave a comment

By: Chad E Cook PT, PhD, FAPTA Definition: The natural history of a disease refers to the progression of a disease in an individual over time, from its onset (pathological or exposure to causal agents) to its resolution. It is generally considered “natural” when no interventions are used that could affect the resolution process [1,2]. […]

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Spinal Manipulation: Lack of Precision Doesn’t Mean Lack of Skill
By: Mark Shepherd, PT, DPT, DSc Spinal thrust manipulation has been used for centuries, with evidence supporting its inclusion in neck and low back guidelines.1,2…
Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Metrics used to Evaluate a Researcher’s Impact or Influence
By: Chad E Cook PT, PhD, FAPTA Background: Each year, in Duke University’s Division of Physical Therapy, I teach a class on research methodology. One…
“It’s Not You, It’s Us…”: Heterogeneity of Treatment Effects as a Challenge to Effectiveness Trials.
By: Damian L Keter, PT, DPT, PhD Background: Comparative effectiveness studies are the cornerstone of medicine and health sciences research. They have a goal of…
Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome a Legitimate Primary Diagnosis?
By: Chad E Cook, Damian Keter, Ken Learman Background: Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is hypothesized to be both a primary and/or a secondary chronic pain…
Risk of Bias Measures can be Biased
By: Chad E Cook, Damian Keter, Ken Learman Navigating the Literature: Navigating the ever-growing, healthcare literature can be challenging [1]. The sheer amount of new…
Why Isn’t Everyone Using Stepped Care for Musculoskeletal Injuries?
By: Chad E. Cook PT, PhD, FAPTA Resource efficiency models Musculoskeletal (MSK) outcomes have shown some concerning trends over the last decade. Conditions like low…