Back pain management prevention program.   Each year, an estimated $24 billion is spent on treatments for back pain – and that does not include missed time from work or the emotional costs of enduring pain and not being able to participate in daily activities. In addition to the direct healthcare costs and absenteeism, back pain also is associated with lower employee productivity. It is the leading cause of workplace disability and amounts to one-third of all lost work claims. At some point in their lives, 80% of Americans will be affected by back pain. The two primary causes are a sprain or strain to back muscles or a direct spinal injury. Back pain due to sprains and strains can result from improper lifting techniques, poor posture, weak back muscles, or lack of physical activity. The good news is that early intervention can help correct the causes of muscle pain and prevent reinjury.

Back pain should not be considered a normal part of aging. It is a condition that can be improved through lifestyle changes. With proper interventions, back pain can be effectively managed. By addressing the physical and behavioral components, individuals with back pain can reduce the incidence and severity of pain episodes, thereby reducing claims costs and improving their quality of life.

The goal of Cardium Health's Back Pain Management program is to help participants better manage back pain through the use of clinical treatment guidelines. Our multi-disciplinary clinicians work together with participants, helping individuals to stay on track with their treatment plans provided by his or her physician. We provide personal support and educational materials as a constant reminder of the benefits to achieving treatment goals.

In keeping with Cardium Health's people-centered focus, our clinicians for the Back Pain Management program treat each person as an individual, not a condition. This personalized support can include assessment and support for the psychosocial influences contributing to back pain, medication comprehension, appropriate physical activity guidelines, ergonomic review, weight management and smoking cessation as appropriate.

Through telephonic counseling, participants learn about proper exercise techniques to improve their endurance, strength and flexibility. By having the participant incorporate correct postural and mechanical changes on a regular basis, they eventually become healthy habits, which in turn reduce the likelihood of recurrent back pain episodes. Incorporating symptom management techniques and methods for dealing with stress, depression or anxiety, participants learn that they can cope and adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Employers who offer the Cardium Health Back Pain Management prevention program realize both short-term and long-term benefits. Short-term, you’ll see reduced absenteeism and improved productivity as the Cardium Health counseling model works by understanding and addressing all of an individual’s behavioral and clinical risk factors to reduce the occurrence of back pain. Long-term, you’ll realize financial savings in healthcare and disability costs avoided by preventing condition progression.

Program Objectives	Clinical Interventions
Reduce lost work days by decreasing severity, duration and re-occurrence of back pain Reduce overall medical and disability costs Improve body mechanics and exercise activities Improve medication management Reduce chronic care expenditures	Pain management strategies Injury prevention education Ergonomic/workstation review Body mechanics/posture assessment Goal setting and recovery planning Medication comprehension and compliance Stress management and relaxation techniques Emotional support

additional resources
Back Pain Management    [ PDF 73KB ]   |   Participant Scenario    [ Pop-Up ]

resources for plan sponsors
Back Pain Management   [ PDF 73KB ]

related links
Standards of Care