PEBB Health and Wellness Back Pain Resources in PEBB Plans

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PEBB Health and Wellness

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Back Pain Resources in PEBB Plans


Kaiser Permanente
Providence Choice
Regence BlueCross BlueShield
Samaritan Select

Kaiser Permanente

Back pain and discomfort with movement are common problems, often originating from overuse of the back muscles. During any given year, 30% of adults in the general population experience a low back problem. In fact, low back symptoms are among the top five reasons that patients visit outpatient clinics, emergency departments, or physicians' offices. And for those under the age of 45 low back problems are the most common cause of disability.

Kaiser Permanente Northwest emphasizes a multidisciplinary, multimodal approach that involves the patient as an active partner in managing low back pain and symptoms. Patients receive various interventions depending on their needs, including consultation, pain management group sessions, medication recommendations, or coordination with another resource or service.

Because back problems are likely to happen on a recurring basis, Kaiser Permanente Northwest believes it is important to educate our patients about how to prevent recurrence and what to do if pain does return. Physicians encourage self-care and prevention including:

Limiting use of prescription medications, particularly muscle relaxants and narcotics, and encouraging use of over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen
Encouraging continued activity such as walking since bed rest has been shown to prolong recovery
Emphasizing that unless a neurological deficit is present, few patients will benefit from either imaging or surgery
Educating patients about the causes of low back discomfort, expectations for recovery, and the likelihood of recurrence.

Additional information can be viewed on our Web site at http://prospectivemembers.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/healthency.do?hwid=uf8252

Kaiser Permanente Northwest's approach to assessment and treatment of acute low back problems focuses on good communication between the patient and the physician as well as support for the active role of the patient in treatment. There are five main treatment objectives for patients with acute low back pain:

Pain relief
Return to normal function and activities of daily living
Providing the patient with clear, accurate expectations regarding the natural history of acute back pain, including future "flares"
Gaining patient agreement about the nature of the problem and treatment expectations
Providing and affirming self-care strategies and information during the first visit and each ensuing visit or call

Kaiser Permanente Northwest's Health Education Services offers two options for patients with chronic pain, including low back pain.
Chronic Pain Support Groups are offered at no charge for patients living with chronic pain. These 90-minute patient-facilitated groups provide an opportunity for discussion and support and offer an opportunity for patients to share ideas, challenges, and what they've learned.
The Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic includes six sessions for patients to explore and practice a variety of therapies designed to reduce pain and improve the patient's ability to function. The key role of self-care is emphasized. At the end of the series a staff member of the Pain Management Clinic helps the patient develop an effective individualized pain management plan that is shared with the patient's health care provider. Physician referral is required for participation, and the patient pays the office visit copayment for each session.

Providence Choice

The Providence Health Plan Medical Back Program is available at all Providence Rehabilitation Services locations, upon referral from your doctor. This program was developed by Dr. Thomas Lorish, who is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Find a location near you at www.providence.org/rehab.

If you are experiencing back pain, you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common physical complaints among adults in the United States. It is estimated that 80 percent of the population will report an episode of back pain. Back pain competes with the common cold as the leading reason why people seek advice from their physicians.

One key to getting and staying healthy is to understand that back disorders are caused by multiple factors that accumulate over time, including your:

Strength and flexibility
Cigarette smoking status
Fitness level
Medical history
Physical and structural abnormalities
Age

Many of these factors are within your control. With proper guidance and your commitment to improve your health, back pain can be managed and possibility eliminated.

Once referred to the Providence Medical Back Program, you will be assessed by a physical therapist. Together, you and your physical therapist will design a rehabilitation program tailored for your condition and physical abilities. The greatest predictor of success is your commitment to change old habits and to diligently follow the treatment plan that you and your therapist agree on.
Physical therapy follows "best practices" for non-surgical treatment of low back pain, focusing on pain relief, restoring movement, body mechanics and education.

http://www.providence.org/healthplans/members/healthresources/backprogram.aspx

Regence BlueCross BlueShield

Need support to help manage back pain? We have a new program for you.

Did you know eight out of ten adults experience back pain at some point in their lives? Back pain

can take many forms, ranging from a pinching feeling in your back to severe pain that radiates

down your leg. If you are living with back pain, we have a program that can help.

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon in partnership with PEBB is pleased to offer you the

Back on Track program. If you have back pain, you know it can have a big effect on your everyday life. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon wants to make it easier for PEBB members and their adult dependents to manage back pain by providing you with personalized back pain support.

Call your Regence Back Health Coach—a specially trained health professional—at 1 (888) 277-1544 for help managing your back pain. You can call the health coaching line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon provides this program as part of your PEBB membership. Call your Regence Back Health Coach to:

Understand the back pain treatment options that may be available to you, including
exercise, medication and surgery.
Receive up-to-date information like educational videos or DVDs on specific back problems,
if appropriate.
Learn how to work with your doctor to choose the treatment that is right for you.

Most adults suffer from back pain at some time in their lives. It’s a common problem, but ways to

manage and treat back pain are often misunderstood. Remember, Regence Back Health Coaches are available anytime, day or night, to help you find ways to manage your back pain.

Samaritan Select

Samaritan Select’s Back Care Program

Millions of Americans suffer from back pain each year. There are many reasons for the pain including poor posture, improper lifting, obesity, weak muscles, accidents, etc.

Currently Samaritan Select’s Back Care Program consists of many on-line links to information about back care, back pain and what members can do for self care strategies as well as when they should consult a health care professional. Maintaining a healthy spine and preventing back pain before it starts is the goal. In addition to information members may receive from their health care provider below are a few of the many links to information that we offer through our Samaritan Select Web site.

Stay Well Health Portal – on line Health Risk Assessment. After a member completes an on line Health Risk Assessment (HRA) via this portal they will receive various targeted health education via the same site as the HRA based on answers to the questions.
Samaritan Health Services (SHS) Web site:

“Health Information & Classes” - Library
Under the diseases & conditions section there is information about back pain including the causes of back pain, self-care, treatment, prevention, exercise, lifting tips and a decision guide for back pain. See the link below for direct access to this information:
http://samhealth.staywellsolutionsonline.com/Library/DiseasesAndConditions/2,72

“Health Information & Classes” – Wellness
Under this section there is a “Workable Guide to Back and Neck Care,” including information about how to keep your back healthy, back pain and pregnancy, why belts for the back shouldn’t be used, and more. See the link below for direct access:
http://samhealth.staywellsolutionsonline.com/Wellness/

“Health Information & Classes” – Interactive Tools
Under this section there are quizzes to test your knowledge about back care, back pain and spine health. See the link below for direct access:
http://samhealth.staywellsolutionsonline.com/InteractiveTools/Quizzes/

“Health Information & Classes” – Related Items
Under this section there are links to many related items including information about “Maintaining Your Healthy Back”, “Help Your Back Work for You,” “Back Pain Prevention Should Start with a Plan,” etc. See the link below for direct access:
http://samhealth.staywellsolutionsonline.com/RelatedItems/6,608647

Page updated: December 18, 2007

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