Logical fallacies

Post-hoc ergo propter hoc

After this, therefore that

appeal to nature

something is good and safe because it is natural, bad bc unnatural

Argumentum ad populum

something must be true because lots of people believe it

Appeal to authority

something must be true because an authority said so (when authority is not atrue authority)

special pleading

to justify a claim you exempt something from a general or universal principal

confirmation bais

interpreting, favoring, or recalling information that supports an existing belief or theory over evidence that refutes it

38%

prevalence of lumbar back pain

5-80%

prevalence of cervical back pain

3-35%

prevalence of thoracic back pain

smoking (sciatica), low education status, physical work, job dissatisfaction, low work social support (female, age 40-69)

Lumbar Spine Risk Factors

Psychosocial factors, expectations, coping style

Lumbar spine prognostic factors

previous history, smoking, occupation, imaging findings

lumbar spine NOT prediction of recovery

female, previous history, long duration sedentary positions, twisting/bending

cervical spine risk factors

old age, long symptom duration, less intense baseline pain, increased worrying, regular bicycling

cervical spine prognostic factor

radiculopathy, radiologic findings

cervical spine NOT predictive of prognosis

other MSK pain, backpack use, psychological factors (ex. perceived ergonomic problems), high work loads and intensity, adolescence

thoracic spine risk factors

85-90%

what percentage of patients do not have a clear pathoanatomical (non-specific) diagnosis