Managing flare-ups: The experience of a group of swimmers with persistent low back pain
Journal article
Oakes, H., DeVivo, M., Stephensen, D. and Mills, H. 2021. Managing flare-ups: The experience of a group of swimmers with persistent low back pain. Physiotherapy. 114 (S1), pp. E220-E221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2021.12.208
Authors | Oakes, H., DeVivo, M., Stephensen, D. and Mills, H. |
---|---|
Abstract | Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is often a recurrent and fluctuating condition, therefore developing a flare-up plan could be a valuable self-management tool. The NICE guidelines recommend that people are provided with information and advice to enable them to self-manage LBP, however specific flare-up advice is not included in the guidelines. Flare-ups are an under researched area despite having a significant impact on pain intensity, disability, mood, work, and social life. It is known that some people find it hard to self-manage LBP and that others rarely need to seek care; therefore, learning from the experience of the latter could help the former. The study objective was to understand how a group of swimmers with persistent LBP manage flare-ups. Methods: 14 swimmers were interviewed for a study exploring the experience of using swimming to manage persistent LBP; one of the questions in the interview guide asked about how they managed flare-ups. The interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis; the information relating to flare-ups was reported separately for the purpose of this study. Results: Both pool and outdoor swimmers participated in this study. They had suffered with LBP from between 3 and 45 years and they were not under the care of a health professional. The following four themes were developed during the analysis. (1) Short-term passive coping strategies; initially the swimmers would ease off and rest, but not for longer than 48–72 h, they would listen to their body, be more careful and adjust their usual routine. Some used analgesic medication, ice and/or heat. (2) Short-term active coping strategies: they spoke about stretching, keeping mobile and functioning. Some adapted their usual swimming routine, but not all and swimming was part of their flare-up plan. (3) Appraisal of flare-up: some of the swimmers wanted to understand why the flare-up had happened, they spoke about prevention of flare-ups and learning from experience. (4) Developing resilience: the words used by this group suggested that they had developed resilience, they did not want to give up and had a positive mindset. Their flare-up plan had evolved over the years and they had confidence in their plan. Conclusion(s): The findings contrast with a recent qualitative study, which found that passive coping strategies were used more frequently, and active strategies were rarely utilised. In this study the swimmers used a range of short-term passive and active coping methods. Their flare-up plan had evolved with time so that they were using less passive and more active strategies. They were able to appraise and learn from flare-ups and this process may have helped develop their coping skills and resilience. Further work is recommended involving people with LBP who can self-manage flare-ups, enabling development of flare-up guidelines and to establish the optimal timeframe for the use of passive coping strategies. Impact: Empowering people with time specific advice about rest, medication, ice, heat, stretches and exercise, such as swimming, to use during flare-ups could reduce the strain on health services. This study provides some initial guidance for physiotherapists and direction for future research. |
Keywords | Low back pain; Swimming; Flare-ups |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Physiotherapy |
Journal citation | 114 (S1), pp. E220-E221 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
ISSN | 0031-9406 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2021.12.208 |
Official URL | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2021.12.208 |
Publication dates | |
01 Feb 2022 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 03 Mar 2022 |
Output status | Published |
https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/90905/managing-flare-ups-the-experience-of-a-group-of-swimmers-with-persistent-low-back-pain
10
total views2
total downloads2
views this month0
downloads this month
Export as
Related outputs
Experts warn continued pool closures are building up health problems for the future
Oakes, H. 2021. Experts warn continued pool closures are building up health problems for the future .Haemophilia
Berntorp, E., Fischer, K., Hart, D.P., Mancuso, M.E., Stephensen, D., Shapiro, A.D. and Blanchette, V. 2021. Haemophilia. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 7 (45). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-021-00278-xThe Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) and Checklist (PAMC): International consensus statement and user guide
Williamson, C., Baker, Graham, Tomasone, Jennifer R, Bauman, Adrian, Mutrie, Nanette, Niven, Ailsa, Richards, Justin, Oyeyemi, Adewale, Baxter, Beelin, Rigby, Benjamin, Cullen, Benny, Paddy, Brendan, Smith, Brett, Foster, Charlie, Drummy, Clare, Vandelanotte, Corneel, Oliver, Emily, Dewi, Fatwa Sari Tetra, McEwen, Fran, Bain, Frances, Faulkner, Guy, McEwen, Hamish, Mills, Hayley, Brazier, Jack, Nobles, James, Hall, Jennifer, Maclaren, Kaleigh, Milton, Karen, Olscamp, Kate, Campos, Lisseth Villalobos, Bursle, Louise, Murphy, Marie, Cavill, Nick, Johnston, Nora J, McCrorie, Paul, Wibowo, Rakhmat Ari, Bassett-Gunter, Rebecca, Jones, Rebecca, Ruane, Sarah, Shilton, Trevor and Kelly, Paul 2021. The Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) and Checklist (PAMC): International consensus statement and user guide. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 18 (1), p. 164. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01230-8The Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) and Checklist (PAMC): International consensus statement and user guide
Williamson, C, Baker, G, Tomasone, J.R, Bauman, A, Mutrie, N, Niven, A, Richards, J, Oyeyemi, A, Baxter, B, Rigby, B, Cullen, B, Paddy, B, Smith, B, Foster, C, Drummy, C, Vandelanotte, C, Oliver, E, Sari Tetra Dewi, F, McEwen, F, Bain, F, Faulkner, G, McEwen, H, Mills, H., Brazier, J, Nobles, J, Hall, J, Maclaren, K, Milton, K, Olscamp, K, Villalobos Campos, L, Bursle, L, Murphy, M, Cavill, N, Johnston, N.J., Crorie, P, Ari Wibowo, R, Bassett-Gunter, R, Jones, R, Ruane, S, Shilton, T and Kelly, P 2021. The Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) and Checklist (PAMC): International consensus statement and user guide. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.Do people with long-term pain swim? Understanding participation using the active lives survey
Oakes, H., De Vivo, M., Stephensen, D. and Mills, H. 2021. Do people with long-term pain swim? Understanding participation using the active lives survey. Physiotherapy. 113, p. e11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2021.10.235Laying the foundation for pregnancy physical activity profiling: A framework for providing tailored physical Activity advice and guidance to pregnant women
DeVivo, M. and Mills, H. 2021. Laying the foundation for pregnancy physical activity profiling: A framework for providing tailored physical Activity advice and guidance to pregnant women. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (11). https://doi.org/ijerph18115996A rapid review of communication strategies for physical activity guidelines and physical activity promotion: A review of worldwide strategies
Budzynski-Seymour, E., Milton, K., Mills, H., Wade, M., Foster, C., Vishnubala, D., Baxter, B., Williamson, C. and Steele, J. 2021. A rapid review of communication strategies for physical activity guidelines and physical activity promotion: A review of worldwide strategies. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 18 (8), pp. 1014-1027. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2020-0832Pool closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on low back pain management
Oakes, H., DeVivo, M., Stephensen, D. and Mills, H. 2021. Pool closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on low back pain management.Exercise professionals' confidence in engaging women to be physically active during pregnancy
Draper, S., DeVivo, M. and Mills, H. Exercise professionals' confidence in engaging women to be physically active during pregnancy.Physiotherapy interventions for pain management in haemophilia: A systematic review
Hurley, M., Chowdary, P., Khair, K., McLaughlin, P. and Stephensen, D. 2020. Physiotherapy interventions for pain management in haemophilia: A systematic review. Haemophilia. https://doi.org/10.1111/hae.14030The importance of cancer patients' functional recollections to explore the acceptability of an isometric-resistance exercise intervention: A qualitative study
Hashem, F., Corbett, K., Stephensen, D., Swaine, I.L., Ali, H. and Hutchins, I. 2020. The importance of cancer patients' functional recollections to explore the acceptability of an isometric-resistance exercise intervention: A qualitative study. Health Science Reports. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.186Muscle strengthening intervention for boys with haemophilia: Developing and evaluating a best-practice exercise programme with boys, families and health-care professionals
Hashem, F., Stephensen, D., Drechsler, W.I., Bladen, M., Carroll, L., Pellatt-Higgins, T. and Saloniki, E.C. 2020. Muscle strengthening intervention for boys with haemophilia: Developing and evaluating a best-practice exercise programme with boys, families and health-care professionals. Health Expectations. 23 (5), pp. 1350-1361. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13119Acceptability and feasibility of an isometric resistance exercise program for abdominal cancer surgery: An embedded qualitative study
Stephensen, D., Hashem, F., Bates, A., Pellatt-Higgins, T., Hobbs, R.P., Hopkins, M., Woodward, H., Stavropoulou, C., Swaine, I.L. and Ali, H. 2020. Acceptability and feasibility of an isometric resistance exercise program for abdominal cancer surgery: An embedded qualitative study. Cancer Control. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073274820950855Comprehensive care on paper only? The challenge for physiotherapy provision in day to day haemophilia practice
McLaughlin, P., Aspdahl, M., Matlary, R. E. D., Grinda, N., Katzerova, M., O'Mahony, B., Stephensen, D. and Lobet, S. 2020. Comprehensive care on paper only? The challenge for physiotherapy provision in day to day haemophilia practice. Haemophilia. 2021 (27), pp. 284-286. https://doi.org/10.1111/hae.14150Results of feasibility and safety of randomised controlled trial of a musculoskeletal exercise intervention versus usual care for children with haemophilia
Bladen, M., Carroll, L., Dodd, C., Drechsler, W., Hashem, F., Patel, V., Pellatt-Higgins, T., Saloniki, I. and Stephensen, D. 2020. Results of feasibility and safety of randomised controlled trial of a musculoskeletal exercise intervention versus usual care for children with haemophilia. Haemophilia. 2020 (26), pp. 223-225. https://doi.org/10.1111/hae.14026Natural history of radiographic first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis: A nineteen‐year population‐based cohort study
Bowen, C., Gates, Lucy, McQueen, Peter, Daniels, Maxine, Delmestri, Antonella, Drechsler, Wendy, Stephensen, David, Doherty, Michael and Arden, Nigel 2020. Natural history of radiographic first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis: A nineteen‐year population‐based cohort study. Arthritis Care & Research. 72 (9), pp. 1224-1230. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.24015Pregnancy in the female athlete - Part 1: antenatal
Pitchers, G., Elliot-Sale, K., DeVivo, M., Donelon, T., Mills, H., Brockwell, E. and Donnelly, G. 2020. Pregnancy in the female athlete - Part 1: antenatal. Professional Strength & Conditioning. 58, pp. 15-22.Scoping review: should physiotherapists recommend swimming to patients with low back pain and is further research indicated
Oakes, H., Mills, H., DeVivo, M. and Stephensen, D. 2020. Scoping review: should physiotherapists recommend swimming to patients with low back pain and is further research indicated. Physiotherapy. 107 (S1), p. e190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2020.03.278Do people with long-term pain swim? Understanding participation using the active lives survey
Oakes, H. 2020. Do people with long-term pain swim? Understanding participation using the active lives survey.Telephone or video? A review of telemedicine consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic in a spinal MSK service
Oakes, H., Hussey, J, Stephensen, D. and Oakes, A 2020. Telephone or video? A review of telemedicine consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic in a spinal MSK service.Encouraging physical activity during and after pregnancy in the COVID-19 era, and beyond
Atkinson, L., DeVivo, M., Hayes, L., Hesketh, K. R., Mills, H., Newham, J. J., Olander, E. K. and Smith, D. M. 2020. Encouraging physical activity during and after pregnancy in the COVID-19 era, and beyond. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17 (7304), pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197304Evaluating Mums’ Zone: a combined intervention of physical activity and social support for new mums.
DeVivo, M. and Mills, H. 2020. Evaluating Mums’ Zone: a combined intervention of physical activity and social support for new mums.2019 Women in Sport and Exercise Conference abstracts: Introducing This Mum Moves: an educational campaign to support pregnant women and new mothers in enjoying and benefiting from an active lifestyle
DeVivo, M. and Mills, H. 2020. 2019 Women in Sport and Exercise Conference abstracts: Introducing This Mum Moves: an educational campaign to support pregnant women and new mothers in enjoying and benefiting from an active lifestyle. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal. 28 (1), pp. 55-65. https://doi.org/10.1123/wspaj.2020-0011Infographic. Guidance for medical, health and fitness professionals to support women in returning to running postnatally
Donnelly, G. M., Rankin, A., Mills, H., DeVivo, M., Goom, T. and Brockwell, E 2020. Infographic. Guidance for medical, health and fitness professionals to support women in returning to running postnatally. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
#Greatcoaching within sport
Howells, K., Gubby, L., Dray, K. and Mills, H. 2019. #Greatcoaching within sport. Expert Comments