Back injury in primary care: three sides of the coin

Low-back pain is the most common job-related injury in the United States. This diagnosis is often accompanied by complexities that make effective treatment options varied and inconclusive. The primary care nurse practitioner who manages industrial injuries must consider 3 perspectives: the patient, the employer, and the practitioner providing care. This research study compares 2 treatment options: conservative and active physical rehabilitation for the patient with an acute first-time low-back injury. Recommendations are made for customizing treatment plans to individual practice settings.