Is It Really Back Pain? A Case-Based Approach to Differential Diagnosis and Medical Screening

In today’s busy clinical environment, it is crucial that clinicians recognize features of the history and physical examination that can influence decisions regarding diagnosis and referral to other members of the interprofessional health care team. Using the back region as a framework, the speakers will review musculoskeletal differential diagnosis and highlight how and when medical screening can be incorporated into the examination —especially when there is no conclusive physical therapy diagnosis. Due to the complexity of the back region, it is important that the therapist perform a thorough history and physical examination —not only to differentially diagnose the musculoskeletal condition that may be present, but also to identify and interpret signs and symptoms of peripheral nociceptive, peripheral neurogenic/neuropathic, and autonomic referral patterns that can mimic musculoskeletal dysfunction. Presenters will highlight red and yellow signs, and symptoms that require more-intensive screening and possible referral to another health care professional. This session will include real-life case examples to emphasize how visceral structures can refer symptoms to the back region, concluding with an interactive problem-solving session to underscore the importance of these concepts.