McGovern Physical Therapy Associates - The Personal Care Professionals

FIT FOR BACK

Chronic back conditions are both common and debilitating. Back pain occurs in 15 to 45 percent of people each year,^1,2,3,4,5 and 70 to 85 percent of people have back pain some time in their lives. In the United States, back pain is the most frequent cause of activity limitation in people under age 45,^6,7 the second most frequent reason for physician visits, the fifth-ranking reason for hospitalization, and the third most common reason for surgical procedures. The cost of treating back problems, time lost from work, insurance, therapy and surgery, runs into the billions of dollars each year.⁸

McGovern Physical Therapy Associates’ FIT FOR BACK program encompasses any and all spinal injuries, conditions or dysfunctions. The program is appropriate for anyone who suffers from back- and neck-related pain that interferes with work, recreational activities, daily living activities and the overall enjoyment of life. Our multi-specialty team cares for the full range of spinal disorders – from simple to complex – affecting the cervical, thoracic and lumbar areas of the spine.

Our FIT FOR BACK program goals include the following, for every patient:

• pain free range of motion
• proper spinal alignment and posture
• proper muscle control and neurological recruitment
• future injury prevention
• the return to normal activity levels

We help patients overcome their back problems, and avoid future problems, with a variety of treatment plans. First, we begin with a comprehensive evaluation.

We access the following:

• Spinal range of motion
• Spinal accessory range of motion
• Alignment of ribs, spine, pelvis, hips, knees and feet
• Motion palpation testing
• Postural analysis
• Palpation evaluation
• Manual/Functional muscle testing
• Neurological testing
• Functional activity assessment
• Special spinal tests
• Full health history to determine the mechanism of injury or chronic disease

With the results of your evaluation, we create a scientific assessment of your injury or dysfunction. We approach your care as a team to create a comprehensive, functional, personalized treatment plan to address all of the deviations found.

Personalized Treatment Plans: Getting to the “core” of the pain

Our first goal is to get our patients out of pain; second is to get the patient into a postural alignment that improves motion and decreases pain even more. Our next focus is the body’s core stabilizing musculature. We train the body from these core muscles working outward to the extremities to improve bio-mechanics, sequential motor recruitment and stabilizing strength.

Researched Based Exercises

Medical education and research is a major focus of McGovern Physical Therapy Associates’ FIT FOR BACK program. Recent studies support our philosophy of stabilizing the core musculature. Research demonstrates that the failure of the abdominal and lumbar musculature to provide adequate support to the lumbar spine during movement, and while under load, is considered a strong contributing factor to the persistence of low back pain and dysfunction.⁹ Recent studies prove that the two most important muscles in motor control and stabilization action are the transverse abdominals and the lumbar multifidus.¹⁰ Panjabi’s biomechanical theory of the lumbar spine stabilizing mechanism during movement, is that of an automatic, pre-movement action. This lumbar stabilization theory shows that the core muscles must stabilize in preparation of movement. Failure of this automatic preparation mechanism identifies a course of persistent low back pain.^11,12

McGovern Physical Therapy Associates believes that core stabilization, proper neurological control of movement and proper biomechanical motion of the spine will lessen your pain and improve your overall function.

McGovern Physical Therapy Associates’ FIT FOR BACK program has helped thousands of back pain sufferers. Our successful treatment philosophy has created numerous positive outcomes for our patients. When our injury prevention advice and home exercise program is followed after discharge, we expect your condition to never return.

Our family-friendly staff, warmth and compassion will make you feel at home; at McGovern Physical Therapy Associates we do not just provide advanced treatment - we provide advanced care. Take advantage of the most experienced, complete and compassionate spinal care program available.

References:

¹ Anderson, G.B.J. The epidemiology of spinal disorders. In: Frymoyer, J.W., ed. The Adult Spine: Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippencott-Raven, 1997.

² Biering-Sorensen, F. Physical measurements as risk indicators for low-back trouble over a one year period. Spine 9:106-119, 1984.

³ Frymoyer, J.W.; Pope, M.H.; Clements, J.H.; et al. Risk factors in low-back pain: An epidemiological survey. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 65(2):213-218, 1983.

⁴ Frymoyer, J.W. Back pain and sciatica. New England Journal of Medicine 318(5):291-300, 1988.\t “top”

⁵ Svensson, H.O., and Anderson, G.B.J. Low-back pain in 40- to 47-year-old men: Work history and work environment factors. Spine 8(3):272-276, 1983.

⁶ Anderson, G.B. Epidemiological aspects on low back pain in industry. Spine 6(1):53-60, 1981.

⁷ Kelsey, J.L.; White, A.A.; Pastides, H.; et al. The impact of musculoskeletal disorders on the population of the United States. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 61(7):959-964, 1979.

⁸ Praemer, A.; Furner, S.; and Rice, D.P. Musculoskeletal conditions in the United States. Park Ridge, IL: American Academy of Orthoscopic Surgery, 1992.

⁹ Saal, J.; Dynamic Muscular stabilization in the non-operative treatment of lumbar syndromes. Orthopaedic Review 19: 691-700, 1990.

¹⁰ Hodges, P.W., and Richardson, C.A.; Inefficient musculature stabilization of the lumbar spine associated with low back pain. A motor control evaluation of transverses abdominals. Spine 21: 2640-50, 1996.

¹¹ Panjabi, M.M.; Lumbar spine instability: A biomechanical challenge. Current Orthopaedics 8: 100-105; 1994.

¹² Panjabi, M.M.; The stability system if the spine. Part 1. Function, Dysfunction, Adaptation and Enhancement. Journal of Spinal Disorders 5; 383-389: 1992.

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