Ontario expanding care for low back pain patients

By Kate Shumakova

BELLEVILLE – The provincial government announced an expansion of the Ministry of Health’s low back pain strategy on Wednesday.

Ontario is providing $2.3 million over two years to seven Local Health Integration Networks, including the South East LHIN, which services Belleville. The Belleville Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic is among the organizations who will  be able to provide additional hours for a range of allied health providers including chiropractors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, kinesiologists and registered message therapists.

Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Dr. Eric Hoskins said in news release that this project can make a life-changing difference to thousands of people in the province.

“Expanding the availability of low back pain supports means that more Ontarians will get the right care, at the right time, in the right place,” he said.

The pilot project focuses on providing faster service closer to home, on using more holistic approach to treating patients suffering from low back pain and educating patients on self-management techniques.