THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE BACK RX APP AND DISCOGENIC LOWER BACK PAIN

Millions of people living across the United States suffer from discogenic lower back pain. Although there are various methods said to reduce this pain, there is a need for a more efficient, effective, and accessible one. Our previous studies have shown that patients suffering from discogenic lower back pain who use a lumbar cryobrace, participate in the Back Rx program, and consume oral pain medication face less pain than patients who use more conventional methods, such as the same regimen without Back Rx exercises. Using a larger patient sample in addition to new Back Rx exercises found on a smartphone application as opposed to in a book, our clinical trial aims to confirm the effectiveness of Back Rx exercises when used in conjunction with a lumbar cryobrace and oral medication. For this trial, we selected patients suffering from discogenic lower back pain and customized the Back Rx App to their specific needs. These patients provided us with valuable data points such as their medicine usage, their ability to partake in recreational activities, and their overall comfort during everyday life. We quantified this data and determined how the different metrics changed over periods of 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months. We found that patients who used the Back Rx App had significant decreases in medicine usage and significant increases in their overall comfort and their ability to complete recreational activities. Although these initial results are extremely promising, it is important to note that our clinical trial is ongoing and that we plan to continue to add users and track their data for up to 5 years.