The integration of complementary therapies into orthodoxy continues to develop rapidly and recent draft guidelines issued by NICE, relating to non-specific lower back pain, are a huge step forward.
Boo Armstrong, who campaigns tirelessly for a fully integrated health policy, says:
“The best news for integration in England is that NICE will be publishing guidance on the treatment of lower back pain in May 2009. You can read the draft here. http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/LowBackPainNICEGuidelineConsultation.pdf
The Key priorities for implementation start with:
- Consider offering a course of manual therapy including spinal manipulation of up to 9 sessions over up to 12 weeks.
- Consider offering a course of acupuncture needling comprising up to 10 sessions over a period of up to 12 weeks.
So chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and acupuncturists will need to start gearing up for NHS work and keep a close eye on the implementation and audit advice that will also be issued!
The Care Quality Commission doesn’t actually come into being until April next year, but its head Baroness Young revealed this week that GPs will have to prove they follow NICE guidelines or face suspension, prosecution or the closure of their practice.”
The draft also includes the benefits of exercise and confirms that people suffering from non-specific back pain should be encouraged to take regular, gentle exercise.