Breaking Down the Barriers of Pain - Neurological Perspectives: Guidelines for the 21st
by David R. Hubbard, MD
 There is widespread recognition that musculoskeletal and chronic
pain conditions are poorly diagnosed and treated, leading to chronic disability, risk for
drug dependence and depression, dissatisfaction with the medical profession, and epidemic
costs. The reason is not a lack of sufficiently potent painkillers, nor undiagnosable or
untreatable CNS pathology, but rather an over-reliance on analgesic and anesthetic
palliation and a failure to make specific source-of-pain diagnoses. Part one of this
series covers new approaches for implementing AHCPR guidelines for low back pain, as well
as, looking at the incidence and cost of treating this condition. The author goes on to
cover source-of-pain history taking; muscular and non-muscular pain patterns; and chief
complaints versus chief concerns.
Please refer to the Jan/Feb 2001 issue for the complete text. In the event you need to order a back issue, please click here.
— Jan/Feb 2001
The full article is now available as a PDF and may be
purchased for $5 and downloaded immediately:
|