Low back pain management in routine clinical practice: what is important for the individual patient?

Chronic low back pain is a complex disorder influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Causes, personal circumstances and personal disease experiences are varied; patient care thus needs to be tailored to the individual. Supported by clinical study results and online patient survey data, the present paper explores factors which are important to the patient beyond pain relief and proposes topics to be raised in consultation to identify the most important treatment goals. Furthermore, the importance of communication, trust and empathy in the physician-patient relationship for effective pain management is addressed.