Previous research has shown an improvement and regression of lumbar disc injuries with conservative treatments including Physical Therapy. Based on clinical practice guidelines and the available evidence, few patients with back and leg pain require surgical interventions for a lumbar disc injury. Many who pursue surgical intervention seek relief of their associated leg symptoms, but until...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice, individualized, progressive exercise is an essential part of each patient’s recovery. Teaching correct exercise technique often requires both tactile and verbal cues. Specifically in the lower body we cue to both improve the relative motions at the spine and hips to optimize movements for pain reduction, strength development, and...
In previous blog posts, we have described the clinical and financial benefits of seeing a Physical Therapist first for treatment of neck or low back pain. Patients who choose Physical Therapy first experience accelerated recoveries with decreased pain and recurrence rates compared to other providers. In addition to the clinical benefits, this patient group is...
There are few areas of Physical Therapy practice more controversial than the SI Joint. Disagreements exist among clinicians and researchers on the diagnosis and treatment of this joint. Many commonly used clinical examination and even medical diagnostic procedures’ false positive and negative rates make accurate diagnosis difficult. Conversely, clusters of examination findings remain the clinical...
We have written previously on the limitations of back surgery to reduce pain, disability, and improve function in patients with back pain. The mismanagement of low back pain, including unnecessary surgery, can often be traced back to a clinician practicing outside of evidence based clinical guidelines. This unwarranted practice variation leads to higher health care costs...
A couple of things are known when reading the research on low back pain. First, it is common with 9 out of 10 adults experiencing symptoms over their lifetime. Second, patients with low back pain are very different and require a specific, individualized treatment vs. a one size fits all approach. Medical research has identified...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we aim to help accelerate a patient’s recovery by optimizing outcomes in fewer visits. Consistent with the medical evidence, manual therapy in our practice rapidly reduces a patient’s pain allowing them to resume normal activities and exercise often in 1-2 visits. As clinicians, we know this rapid improvement is...
Squats remain one of the most effective exercises for strengthening the lower quarter and improving sports performance. It also is a very efficient exercise in the gym because it targets most of the important leg muscles and works them through a large range of motion. The downside of a squat is its’ difficulty. Many people...
Low back pain continues to be a common source of pain, loss of function, and in some cases disability. A portion of this weight on our society and medical system is the over emphasis on imaging findings including disc injury or degenerative disc disease as the source of a patient’s symptoms. Unfortunately, there is an...
Low back pain is the second most common reason patients seek care from their primary care physician. In addition, it is one of the most common reasons people seek care at our Boulder Physical Therapy practice. Due to its’ high incidence in the population, low back pain has become a significant financial burden on our...