Low back pain resilience

Abstract

Given the escalating global impact of low back pain (LBP), a recent initiative highlighted in The Lancet Series on LBP emphasised the urgent need for healthcare providers to actively support individuals with LBP in embracing healthy lifestyles and fostering resilience against pain. This thesis therefore endeavours to create a model of resilience for low back pain with a focus on the positive attributes that contribute to resilience. The research brings together the impact of positive lifestyle behaviours (adequate physical activity, optimal sleep, maintaining an appropriate BMI, non-smoking and non-problematic alcohol consumption), positive social interactions and emotional well-being on the capacity to maintain high levels of function, the pursuit of meaningful goals and engagement in valuable tasks such as work and recreation when faced with LBP. As resilience changes with time and circumstance, both longitudinal and qualitative studies are used to complete the body of work which culminates in the development of a sleep retraining program designed specifically for people with LBP.