Table 2 Discourses found in analysis of participant responses to the question: “What is your understanding of why your low back pain (LBP) is persistent or recurring?”
From: Individuals’ explanations for their persistent or recurrent low back pain: a cross-sectional survey
Discourse (pattern of thinking) | Explanation |
|---|---|
1) Body as machine | The body is viewed as biomechanical (literally: the body as a machine) or anatomical. Like a machine, the body is considered to be able to break and can sometimes be repaired. LBP persists because something is physically defective. |
2) LBP as permanent/immutable | Related to the first discourse, LBP is conceptualised as a static or fixed entity that once ‘broken’, it cannot be ‘fixed’. LBP is not dynamic or fluid but unchangeable and permanent. |
3) LBP is complex | This is a counter discourse to the first two. Multiple factors can contribute to the persistence of LBP – not only biomechanical or anatomical but also possibly psychosocial or cultural factors. There is no simple explanation for ongoing LBP. |
4) LBP is very negative | LBP is conceptualised as abnormal, catastrophic, or very negative experience. LBP should be avoided and/or has a large effect on life. |