A new approach to treating back pain
Musculoskeletal disorders and the care of patients with these conditions are already very important, and they will become even more significant. The question is how we can treat them without resorting to excessive medication or unnecessary procedures,” the speaker said at the beginning.
He pointed out that musculoskeletal disorders affect 1.7 billion people worldwide. In the United States, low back pain is the second most common reason for visits to a primary care physician, and one quarter of adults have reported back pain at least once in the past three months. He also noted that back pain alone generates annual costs of about 100–200 billion dollars. Musculoskeletal disorders are not only an economic burden. They significantly worsen everyday functioning and negatively affect patients’ self-esteem and quality of life.
The guest from the United States emphasized that the current approach to treating back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions relies primarily on anti-inflammatory medications and sometimes muscle relaxants. Non-pharmacological therapies are recommended to varying degrees. Patients are also educated and reminded that many acute musculoskeletal conditions are self-limiting, meaning they do not last forever.
“Very often, patients come to my office and say: ‘When I was six years old, I fell off a horse.’ They believe that this is why they experience pain at the age of fifty. But all research shows that this is not the case. The body has a phenomenal ability to heal,” explained Dr. Christopher Behringer.
He added that patients often feel reduced to merely treating the symptoms of pain, while the effects of such interventions are frequently very short-lived. This is because pain, as a phenomenon influenced by emotions, stress, culture, and context, requires a holistic perspective.
For this reason, in his clinical practice, the speaker focuses on evidence-based multimodal treatment, which combines, among other things, pharmacotherapy, manual therapy, work on the kinetic chain, targeted exercises, and approaches such as acupuncture. The key goal is improving function and quality of life, rather than solely reducing pain, which is precisely the focus of the speaker’s clinical practice.
“Patient-centered goals are very important. It is not only about whether you feel pain, but also about how that pain affects you and what you want to be able to do again as soon as possible,” the speaker emphasized.
What gives an advantage when applying for residency in the United States
The second part of the lecture focused on a discussion about residency in the United States. The speaker, who completed his internship at Sampson Regional Medical Center in North Carolina, where he served as chief resident, shared several tips regarding the application process. He emphasized that candidates often do not pay enough attention to the personal statement. It should include information about who you are, what you do, and why you chose this path. It should also describe where you are heading and what you specifically want to do during residency. Simply stating a desire to become a physician is insufficient. It is also important to highlight non-medical interests. The ability to combine hobbies with academic study and professional work is highly valued. In turn, a letter of recommendation must be written by someone who truly knows the candidate. During the residency interview, applicants should present a consistent narrative that reflects their personal statement. The speaker also advised against “embellishing” one’s CV, because exaggerating the truth is immediately verified during the interview.