Is AI the Future of Back Pain Relief?

Back pain is a widespread issue, affecting millions worldwide. In the UK, a new AI-powered app is stepping in to help manage this problem. This app, developed by Flok Health, is the first of its kind to be approved by the National Health Service (NHS) and the Care Quality Commission. It aims to provide immediate care, ease the burden on the NHS, and prevent back pain from worsening. The app works by guiding users through a series of stretches and movements. It's designed to help patients take control of their pain. The AI adapts to the user's responses, creating a personalised treatment plan. This is possible because the AI uses a specific language for clinical reasoning, avoiding the "hallucination" problem seen in other AI models. Flok Health was founded by Finn Stevenson and Ric da Silva, who met while working at a robotics company. They saw a need for accessible, non-invasive treatment for common conditions. Their app is designed to handle straightforward cases, freeing up clinicians to focus on more complex problems. The app's AI is like a choose-your-own-adventure book, with over a billion possible intervention combinations. This makes it a "perfect software problem, " according to Stevenson. It's all about delivering the right treatment in a scalable way. But how does the app measure up in real life? Users interact with a pre-recorded physiotherapist, who guides them through exercises. The AI adapts to the user's responses, creating a personalised treatment plan. However, the app can't watch the user's movements, so it relies on the user to follow instructions correctly and report any issues. This could be a problem for users who need more guidance. Flok Health is expanding its operations, with plans to cover at least half of the UK in the next year. They're also looking to treat other pain areas, like hip and knee osteoarthritis, and women's pelvic health. But they're not alone in this field. Other apps, like selfBACK, are also using AI to tackle musculoskeletal pain. However, these apps should supplement traditional care, not replace it. The use of AI in healthcare raises many questions. Experts agree that AI tools should undergo the same rigorous evaluations as traditional medical interventions. They should be assessed for their effectiveness, who they work for, and how they evolve over time. AI tools should also have a clear division of labor with clinicians, rather than trying to replace them. In the end, the app might not be for everyone. Some users might need more guidance than the app can provide. But for others, it could be a game-changer. It's all about finding the right balance between AI and human care.