Spinal Decompression Update
So What’s New?
I was working long through a Saturday, and low and behold there was an informercial for a local group of chiropractors advertising their spinal decompression treatments. They featured an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia. I looked him up, and found that he had been stripped of his board certification because of a felony fraud conviction related to a spinal decompression device. Read more
Therapy Referrals – FAQs
This post addresses general rules and FAQs for referring patients with orthopedic problems to physical therapy. To take a look at our Referral Guideline, click here.
Therapy Referral Advisor
If you haven’t read the introduction/explanation, please click here and do so first.
Therapy Referral Advisor – Introduction/Explanation
How Do You Know When to Refer?
Well, this is an attempt to help you arrive at a decision with your patient’s best interest at heart, relying on evidence (peer-reviewed studies, quality assurance studies), experience, and situational considerations.
If you have previously read this introduction, click here to get to the full guidelines or click here to see our Referral FAQs.
Therapeutic Exercise – Terms Defined
These are a few of the most common terms used to describe therapeutic exercise
Therapeutic Exercise – What Is It?
Therapeutic Exercise is Prescribed Exercise
Each component of prescribed exercise is targeted specifically to change some parameter of function within your body. A parameter of function may be flexibility, range of motion, strength, muscular, or cardiovascular endurance.
Evaluation and Management of Back and Neck Pain – Divide and Conquer, Part 3
Treatment of Spinal Pain Based on Syndrome Classification
The last post (#2 in this series) explained how classification of spinal pain by position or anatomic abnormality has generally failed to yield tangible results when linked to conservative (non-surgical) treatment. Through classifications based on cyclical loading (as well as some other factors) better rates of success have been achieved (both anecdotally and through research trials) in treating spinal pain.
Evaluation and Management of Back and Neck Pain – Divide and Conquer, Part 2
Methods and Classification Systems for Spinal Pain
Early classifications for low back pain were based on either anatomical findings, restrictions of movement, or assessing alignment of body landmarks. Many of these classifications still are in use today. Read more
Evaluation and Management of Back and Neck Pain – Divide and Conquer, Part 1
How Do You Treat Back Pain?
That question, as simple as it sounds, can be one of the most controversial and divisive questions that anyone could ask a physical therapist. There are millions of people out there with low back pain (about 80% of adults have an episode of significant low back pain during their lifetime) and, it seems, a million different ways to treat it. Published research over the past 15 years or so (I’m speaking of serious research, peer-reviewed by experts in content and statistical analysis) has trended in a few general directions: Read more
Spinal Decompression – What Is It?
This is a big question these days! Everywhere me and my patients look (or listen) we hear about “Spinal Decompression” and it’s 85% to 95% (the number varies from commercial to commercial) success rate. I thought I knew what it was all about, but decided to do some research over the past couple of days.Spinal Decompression mostly refers to a type of spinal traction device called the DRX 9000, but can refer to other devices such as the Vax-D, DRS, and even the Chattanooga Triton Spinal Traction machine.
