Your client is n=1. She isn't the average of a trial population, and you can't hand her a mean. A look at why evidence-based medicine and patient-centred care were never opposing teams — what to do when the research doesn't answer the question you actually have, and why there's no formula for the gap.

Despite our natural inclination to shun pain, studies have consistently shown its inherent value as a protective mechanism. This innocuous 4-letter word has the uncanny ability to disrupt our daily routines, yet by delving into the mechanisms and behaviours associated with pain, we can actively adapt our perspectives and effectively mitigate its impact on our lives.

We can conclude from this information that though spinal imaging often highlights a structural or bio-mechanical change within the body these changes are not directly correlated to discomfort levels. Indeed in the above study no subjects were experiencing pain and yet the imaging suggests intervention is indeed needed.