249. Low Back Pain Roundtable w/ Q Willey, Katie Dabrowski, and Chris Hughen

Low back pain represents a universal human experience rather than a failure of clinical expertise or physical conditioning. Even among rehabilitation professionals and high-level athletes, pain episodes often stem from a convergence of systemic stressors—such as sleep deprivation, nutritional deficits, and life transitions—rather than isolated biomechanical errors. Effective management prioritizes maintaining physical activity and fostering self-efficacy, moving away from the reliance on passive, palliative treatments that offer little long-term benefit. Normalizing the pain experience and utilizing robust social support systems help mitigate the emotional isolation and fear-avoidance behaviors that often exacerbate symptoms. By embracing uncertainty and focusing on global health rather than attempting to "fix" specific anatomical structures, clinicians can better guide patients through the iterative, non-linear process of recovery while maintaining overall athletic performance and functional capacity.