Over 80% of people worldwide experience low back pain (LBP) at some point in their lives. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), LBP is the leading cause of disability globally. LBP is typically classified into three categories: acute, subacute, and chronic. Pain lasting three months or longer is termed chronic low back pain (CLBP). Identifying the exact cause of CLBP is challenging, with WHO data suggesting that 90% of CLBP cases lack a specific cause and are referred to as nonspecific low back pain (NSCLBP).

Traditionally, treatments for LBP have included pain medications, electrotherapy, and steroid injections. However, extensive research published in The Lancet in 2018 declared these conventional treatments ineffective for long-term management. Instead, the study emphasised the importance of a biopsychosocial approach to treatment.

What is STOPS?

STOPS, or Specific Treatment of the Problems of the Spine, is an innovative treatment method developed by Australian researchers. Its core principle is precise diagnosis. Since chronic LBP often lacks a single identifiable cause, STOPS focuses on identifying multiple contributing factors. These factors may include:   

Physical: Conditions like PLID (prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc). 

Psychological: Issues such as depression. 

Socioeconomic: Stressors like family discord.

The treatment process begins with a detailed assessment of these factors. A personalised plan is then created to address the obstacles the patient faces in recovering from pain. Additionally, the patient's profession and daily activities are analysed to devise a fitness program tailored to their post-recovery lifestyle. As a result, the treatment approach varies for each patient, based on their unique contributing factors.

Effectiveness of STOPS

Extensive clinical trials have demonstrated that STOPS is significantly more effective and cost-efficient than conventional treatments. In Bangladesh, LBP treatment is often prohibitively expensive, with hospitalisation costs frequently escalating to many times the initial expense. In contrast, STOPS emphasises reducing treatment costs, even for spinal pain conditions like neck pain.

Patients typically undergo therapy once or twice a week, minimising hospital visits. Consequently, STOPS is recognised globally as an affordable and highly effective treatment option.

The writer is a back pain researcher at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Montana, USA. Email: hprc2005@live.com