Complementary and Alternative therapy for chronic lower back pain in the Veteran's Health Administration: A review of the literature

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most disabling conditions in society and within veteran patients. It has been estimated that 85% of men and women will experience acute back pain at some point in their lives with approximately 10% becoming chronic. In the veteran patient population, a study of Vietnam veterans demonstrated that 80 percent also reported experiencing some form of chronic pain. In returning veterans from OEF/OIF, it has been estimated that the two most frequent types of diagnoses were musculoskeletal conditions and connective tissue disorders which has the potential for chronic pain. This increased burden on the VA system can impact overall costs and the need to explore methods of treatment that are nontraditional and new to the VA system is important. This paper will explore the incidence and prevalence of chronic low back pain and alternative and complimentary options for pain management within this patient population.

Methods: We will conduct a review of English language review articles, RCT' and original articles from indexed refereed sources with keywords chronic low back pain in veteran patients and alternative and complimentary treatment interventions and outcomes. Data Sources: PubMed, Medline, MANTIS, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Index to Chiropractic Literature through Jan 2011.

Significance: To better understand chronic low back pain in veteran patients and the availability of non traditional approaches to management, which can further impact policy and implementation of these services to the veteran patient population.