Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain management is challenging. Those with chronic pain present to health professionals, including osteopaths. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey of the Osteopathy Research Connect - New Zealand (ORC-NZ), a practice-based research network (PBRN). Demographic, practice, and treatment characteristics of osteopaths who 'often' and 'not often' treat chronic pain patients were collected. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-seven (277) NZ osteopaths responded and just over half (50.7% N = 138) reported 'often' treating chronic pain patients. This group, who have a similar male-to-female ratio, often use a diagnostic screening questionnaire (aOR 3.78), and often treat patients with non-musculoskeletal complaints (aOR 3.12) and tendinopathies (aOR 3.41). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights practice and clinical management characteristics of NZ osteopaths who manage chronic pain patients.