As an increasing number of workers with injuries are receiving physical therapy (PT), this study examines the association between early initiation of PT and utilization of medical services, costs of medical services, and duration of temporary disability (TD) for workers with low back pain (LBP). The study focuses on claims with LBP-only injuries, recognizing that PT is often used as first-line treatment for LBP and other musculoskeletal injuries before considering opioid prescriptions and invasive procedures.

This study is based on nearly 26,000 LBP-only claims with more than seven days of lost time from 27 states, with injuries from October 1, 2015, through March 31, 2017, and detailed medical transactions up through March 31, 2018. The 27 states are Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The Timing of Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain: Does It Matter in Workers’ Compensation? Dongchun Wang, Kathryn Mueller, and Randy Lea. September 2020. WC-20-25.

Video:

Copyright: WCRI