back disability

Back Disability

Back Disability – Online Form To Determine Disability

Lower back pain isn’t just a frequent issue, but may result in disability. It becomes an essential cause associated with activities of daily living as well as decline in the workforce.

Back pain can impact those typical activities involving everyday living resulting in medical expenses and reduces the capability to work productively. It is essential to produce an analysis of the degree of self rated impairment and this particular disability form may help.

back disability

This form is based on a commonly used back disability questionnaire. The basis of the questionnaire is to determine a baseline score or reference from the 24 questions. The scoring is then used to determine a place whereby disability progression or regression can be determined throughout a course of time.

This particular disability questionnaire was established to assist in understanding just how back pain affects ones capability to handle day-to-day activities. Whenever your lower back is painful, you might find it challenging to be able to perform things you typically do. Simply indicate yes when it identifies your situation at this time. In the event that it really does, tag “YES”, otherwise, indicate “NO”.

After answering ALL of the questions, click on the ‘Score‘ button and a new window will open up with the Disability Score along with an interpretation based on a division of scoring. You may return at a later date to see if your score has improved or is getting worse.

1. Due to my back condition, I remain at home most of the time.

 
 

2. To get my back more comfortable, I shift positions often.

 
 

3. My back condition causes me to walk slow.

 
 

4. My back does not allow me to do normal jobs around the home.

 
 

5. My back condition forces me to use a handrail going up stairs.

 
 

6. I have to lie down more frequently due to my back.

 
 

7. Due to my lower back, I must grab something to help get up from a low chair.

 
 

8. Due to my back condition, I try getting others to do things for me.

 
 

9. My back causes me to get dressed slowly.

 
 

10. My back problem only permits me to stand for short periods of time.

 
 

11. My back makes it difficult to bend or kneel.

 
 

12. It is difficult to get out of any chair due to my back.

 
 

13. Due to my back, I am in pain most of the time.

 
 

14. Back pain makes it hard to turn over in bed.

 
 

15. My back condition makes my appetite worse.

 
 

16. Back pain causes me difficulty in putting on socks/stockings.

 
 

17. Back pain prevents me from walking longer distances.

 
 

18. My back pain causes me to lose sleep.

 
 

19. I need help getting dressed due to my back pain.

 
 

20. Due to my back condition, I sit most of the day.

 
 

21. Because of my back, I can’t do heavy jobs around my home.

 
 

22. My back condition causes me to lose my temper more and become more irritable.

 
 

23. Back pain causes me to go up stairs slowly.

 
 

24. I have to stay in bed most of the day due to back pain.

 
 

Question 1 of 24

back disability help

This Online Questionnaire is really a way of measuring that’s made to be performed by individuals in evaluation regarding disability directly associated with lower back pain. Intended for utilization in research being an outcome measure regarding scientific studies, it’s been beneficial in order to keep track of individuals within a clinical environment.

The back disability score you get from the online form is based on the 24 item questionnaire, it is not meant to provide a descriptive account of disability status. It is pertinent for observing short-term changes in back pain status – resolution or worsening of symptoms of patients seen in a clinical settings as well as responses to treatment(s). The scores range from 0 (no disability) to 24 (maximum disability). In this online form, the scores are weighted by division into 6 categories.

It is important for progress and responses to treatments, but also gives one an idea of areas of focus. You may not realize the impact back pain has on your life, particularly around the house and as it relates to others. Helping to understand the way your back pain condition affects you and others can help reduce anxiety and suggest some helpful strategies.

Weekly self monitoring of low back pain was helpful as part of self management.[1]
The level of back disability is associated with an increased risk of serious falls in a population of community living older adults. Fall prevention should be discussed with your doctor if you have disability related to back pain. Occupational therapists can be a good source for individualized help.[2]

In patients with lumbar spine lesions, the disability score is associated with age, BMI (Body Mass Index), work factors, smoking, and the type of disorder. Regular exercise is associated with lower levels of disability.[3] BMI is an important factor in many conditions as well as back disability. You can calculate your BMI easily using the National Institute of Health calculator.

Persistent, severe low back pain and disability is often associated with psychological risk factors, in particular catastrophization and depression.[4]

Catastrophization

Catastrophization is when one assumes the worst will happen or believing that you are in a worse situation than may be or exaggerating the difficulties you face. For example, if you are worried that you will fail an exam, you may feel you are a bad student, will never pass, get a degree or a job.

It often is not intentional and people often do not even realize they are doing it. There may be a feeling of no control over worrying and this can make things worse.

With chronic pain, catastrophization may be related to alterations in the hypothalamus and pituitary responses, and increased activity in the parts of the brain that register emotions associated with pain. Catastrophizing is not the same as just pain exaggeration. It is more than just psychological, it affects the physiology of the brain and should not be taken lightly.[5]

Someone with chronic pain may conclude that they will never get better and will always feel discomfort and have disability. This fear may lead them to altered behavior. Coupled with depression, anxiety, and fatigue may also contribute to catastrophization. This is often a problem in managing whiplash.

Mindfulness might help you recognize which thoughts are irrational and can help you control your thoughts. This involves paying attention to the present moment without judging. Focus on being aware of thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings. This can help reduces stress and anxiety, promote emotional regulation, self-awareness, focus and concentration, improves sleep quality, and boosts immune function [6]

There are other therapies and treatments and you should discuss this with your health care professional. This does not mean you should give up hope or think they will never find and be able to treat the cause of your pain, as we know when considering Modic changes and back disability.

back disability products

Back Disability & Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is the belief in the capabilities and confidence in one’s ability to perform, organize, and complete courses of action needed to achieve a particular behavior or outcome. Self-efficacy in pain can exist as a common denominator between other psychological and social factors. It includes beliefs about an one’s ability to control pain, regulate related emotions, maintain work, communicate to health care providers, and utilize pain management strategies appropriately.

Self-efficacy has the strongest measure for mediating indirect effects of most chronic low back pain treatments and outcomes. Investigating it’s influence on reported disability can provide critical insight into chronic pain management.[6]

To get an idea of your self-efficacy levels, typical questions asked are:

  • Can you enjoy things, despite the pain.
  • Can you do most of the household chores (e.g. tidying-up, washing dishes, etc.), despite the pain.
  • Can you socialize with my friends or family members as often as I used to do, despite the pain.
  • Can you cope with my pain in most situations
  • Can you do some form of work, despite the pain. (work includes housework, paid and unpaid work).
  • Can you still do many of the things I enjoy doing, such as hobbies or leisure activity, despite pain.
  • Can you cope with my pain without medication.
  • Can you still accomplish most of my goals in life, despite the pain
  • Can you live a normal lifestyle, despite the pain.
  • Can you gradually become more active, despite the pain.

Pain self-efficacy is an important factor in the relationship between psychological and social factors of fear, catastrophizing, depression and pain-related disability. Adaptive coping strategies based on personal confidence is promising for managing chronic pain.

Knowledge concerning self-efficacy is necessary for understanding effective psychosocial evaluations, allowing insight into emotional factors, perceived function, and expected outcomes to help build skills to improve overall confidence to independently manage pain and optimally function in daily life.[7]


References:
1. Chiropr Man Therap. 2021 Sep 16;29(1):37
2. Pain Med. 2019 Dec 1;20(12):2377-2384
3. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021;34(1):131-137
4. Spine J. 2020 Jun;20(6):857-865. doi: 10.1016
5. Expert Rev Neurother. 2009 May;9(5):745-58
6. Health Psychol Open. 2018 Oct 22;5(2):2055102918807406
7. Pain. 2015 Jun;156(6):988-997
8. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Jan 3;23(1):21

Author Bio

Stephen Ornstein, D.C. has treated thousands of neck, shoulder and back conditions since graduating Sherman Chiropractic College in 1987 and during his involvement in Martial Arts. He holds certifications as a Peer Review Consultant from New York Chiropractic College, Physiological Therapeutics from National Chiropractic College, Modic Antibiotic Spinal Therapy from Dr. Hanne Albert, PT., MPH., Ph.D., Myofascial Release Techniques from Logan Chiropractic College, and learned Active Release Technique from the founder, P. Michael Leahy, DC, ART, CCSP.