Management of low back pain. Current assessment and formulation of a blueprint for the health care delivery system of the future.

This article outlines the authors' recommendations for future health care delivery to patients with low back pain and presents one potential blueprint for a modified delivery system. A group of multidisciplinary physicians and support staff that functions as a unified team with common goals is best positioned to overcome the challenges of providing quality care in a managed care environment. The burden on those who manage patients with spine disorders is to define and prove that high quality medical care results in genuine cost savings and better value for the health care customer.

Cervical pain syndromes: primary care diagnosis and management.

This article discusses treatment of the most common musculoskeletal causes of cervical pain syndromes. A thorough history and physical exam can allow treatment of these disorders without use of unnecessary and costly testing in the current era of managed care.