Management patterns in acute lower back pain: the role of physical therapy
There was a significantly lower risk of subsequent medical service usage (imaging, injections, surgery, opiate use, and physician visits) among patients who received physical therapy within 30 days after an episode of acute lower back pain relative to those who received PT at later times. Click here for the reference
Primary care referral of patients with low back pain to physical therapy: impact on future health care utilization and costs
Total medical costs were $2736.23 lower for patients receiving early physical therapy for lower back pain (within 14 days of onset) versus delayed physical therapy (early PT $1810.67, late PT $3661.78). Click here for the reference