A psychosocial profile of patients with non-specific neck pain

According to the World Federation of Chiropractic, neck pain (NP) is a common problem responsible for disability. When treating a NP patient, it was important to identify those at risk of developing chronic NP. NP is of multifactorial origin and therefore indicated to be a result of individual, physical and of psychosocial origination. Psychosocial variables that were identified accounted for approximately one-fourth of self-reported pain and approximately one-third of disability. By identifying the psychosocial factors or ¿yellow flags¿ with the use of disability questionnaires at an early stage, clinicians are assisted in detecting neck pain before it becomes chronic. This aids in the prevention of chronic spinal pain and disability and allows clinicians to manage the patients using a biopsychosocial approach.