The role and place of pain education in the management of chronic low back pain

Abstract

Aims. To conduct a literature review of sources on pain education in order to systematise knowledge and optimise the process of integrating this approach into the rehabilitation of people with chronic low back pain. Research methods. To achieve the above goal, a literature search was conducted for the period 2014–2024 in online databases: PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The search was carried out in the following areas: pain education and chronic pain, pain education and chronic low back pain. Results. Pain education is an educational strategy that takes into account the multidimensionality of pain experience and helps to rethink pain through neurophysiological, neurobiological, sociological and physical knowledge. Pain education can be delivered in the form of a conversation, lecture, discussion or with the use of teaching aids. Pain education, together with other rehabilitation interventions, has a positive impact on pain intensity, disability, psycho-emotional state and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain. Conclusions. Pain education in combination with traditional rehabilitation interventions in patients with chronic low back pain helps to reduce pain intensity, disability, catastrophisation, kinesiophobia, improves quality of life, psychoemotional state and functioning of patients.