PRO Medical Healthy Back Program gets to the core of the problem

During your first visit to the program you will meet with a physician, a medical history will be taken. The physician then reviews the history, and collects more specific information during the patient exam. In the exam, the physician may move certain joints and limbs in ways that reveal diagnostic information about the back or neck problem. Be sure to answer all the physician's questions honestly because certain movements are intended to produce, or not produce, discomfort. What you feel helps the physician diagnose your problem correctly. Consequently, it is crucial to answer questions honestly.
Diagnostic Tests we may consider

• For simple muscle-related back pain, X-rays are of limited value because they do not show muscles and discs, only bones. A physician may use X-rays to determine if there are any fractured vertebrae after a fall, or if there is a narrowing of the disc space which may imply a disc problem.
• In some cases, the physician may use MRI or CT to determine what may be causing the person's pain. These tests are painless, and function simply as a medical photograph of your body.
• Neurodiagnostic test
• Blood and Urine laboratory tests
  

Back Pain Treatment Options

• Medications

Medication

Medicine, in some cases, may lessen swelling and reduce pain, providing symptom relief. The type of medication our physician recommends depends on your symptoms and your level of pain.

At home, symptoms may be relieved by Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen products like Motrin or Advil. Aspirin might also be recommended to ease pain.

In addition to function, relief of pain is important. However, it is important for the patient to understand that pain is a signal from the body to the brain that something is wrong. Either the back is too weak, too inflexible, something lifted was too heavy, or the wrong body mechanics were used.

Those doctors who focus exclusively on pain symptoms often recommend a course of treatment that is the exact opposite of what the individual needs to recover from the back problem.

Years ago, for example, doctors treated back pain with bed rest and heavy drugs to mask the discomfort. It was found, however, that this type of treatment was actually damaging to the back, because it caused muscles in the back to get weaker which, in turn, caused more strain and pain. Patients became more dependent on drugs and grew more inactive

• Exercise
  
  In the old days, the prescription for pain was often bed rest. Now, however, it is known that more than a few days of bed rest after an injury can be counterproductive to rehabilitation. One of the best cures for back pain is increasing strength and flexibility through exercise. Activity acts as a lubricant to the joints and muscles in the back and is as necessary to recovery as oil is to the hinge in a squeaky door.
  
  It is important to work with a therapist to make sure exercises are done properly. Never do any exercise that increases the pain.
  
  Exercise and movement can help tissues in the back become stronger and better able to support the back and resist the impact of additional injury. Specific exercises can be used to target particular types of back pain help to make the back stronger. and less disabled.

• Limiting rest

In 1986, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that for most back pain, rest and inactivity should be limited to two days at most. After that time, patients should be encouraged to start moving and exercising to strengthen the back muscles and increase flexibility. In turn, part of the rehabilitative process requires a commitment on the part of the patient to work closely with the therapist during those first few weeks to ensure a successful long-term recovery.

While drugs and manipulation may relieve initial pain, neither of these changes the musculature of the back which is necessary for long-term recovery. Only exercise can strengthen the back muscles and make them more flexible and resistant to future strain.

• Physical therapy
  
  Physical therapy helps to strengthen muscles that support the spine, and increase flexibility. This new strength and flexibility will help prevent future back strain. A therapist may use ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat or ice, mobilization and exercises to reduce pain and the likelihood of future injury.
  
  The McKenzie Method® was developed in the 1960's by Robin McKenzie, a physical therapist in New Zealand. The McKenzie approach emphasizes "centralizing" the patient's pain by moving it away from the extremities (leg or arm) to the back.
  
  A central tenet of the McKenzie Method® is that self-healing and self-treatment are important for the patient's pain relief and rehabilitation. By learning how to self-treat the current problem, patients gain hands-on knowledge on how to minimize the risk of recurrence and to rapidly deal with recurrence if it occurs.
  
  The likelihood of problems persisting can more likely be prevented through self-maintenance. The long-term goal of the McKenzie Method® is to teach patients suffering from neck pain and/or back pain how to treat themselves and manage their own pain for life using exercise and other strategies

• Massage
  
  Not only does it feel relaxing, massage has notable health benefits that are an important part of back pain rehabilitation. Massage helps the back pain sufferer by releasing toxins in muscles, increasing circulation, releasing endorphins, reducing inflammation, alleviating muscle cramps, breaking down scar tissue and calming the nervous system.
  
  Aside from the physical health benefits, massage has a psychological impact in helping the patient learn to feel relaxed. For the chronic back pain sufferer, even the simple luxury of drifting off effortlessly to sleep has usually not been a reality for months, sometimes even years. Massage can bring back that feeling of calm - a concept that has become foreign to them.
  

• Injection Therapy

For years, spine physicians have used cortisone injections, epidural steroid injections, trigger point injections and nerve blocks to relieve pain in the spine. The injections are really intended as a means to an end. The theory is that by injecting pain-relieving medication directly into the site of injury or the pain generator, a patient can bridge from inactivity to the physical therapy gym. Once there, and able to move, the patient is ready for therapists to begin to work their wonders.
Often spine injections are provided in a series of three injections spanned over a couple months. The theory is that a series works better at knocking down pain and inflammation than a single injection.

There has been some conflicting research about the value of various injections. Some studies have questioned the benefit of epidural steroid injections. Another authority, Britain's Royal College of General Practitioners, noted in their back care guidelines released in 1997 that epidural steroid injections relieve low back pain with sciatica (leg pain) better than some other treatments. The Royal College is less supportive about facet joint injections and trigger point injections. According to the College, there is little supporting evidence that these injections improve clinical outcomes. With that said many spine specialty centers believe in the benefit of injections and continue to use them.

• Surgery 

Our approach is a conservative non-operative treatment program however we do recognize the value of surgical treatment when called for.

We work closely with many of the regions top spine surgeons and will assist you with referrals if surgery becomes necessary. We also work with many post surgical patients.

A new study reported in the November 22, 2006 Vol 296, No. 20 issue of JAMA revealed that the long-term results for patients having spine surgery for sciatica are not any better than for those having conservative care. A JAMA editorial by Stanford University's Dean of Neurosurgery Eugene Carragee, M.D. pointed out:

• the decision to operate or not depends strongly on the patient's situation - emotional, family & economic - rather than the medical findings.
• there is no clear reason to advocate strongly for surgery apart from patient preference (e.g. how urgently they wish to achieve quicker relief)
• the fear of many patients & surgeons that not removing a large disk herniation will likely have catastrophic consequences is false.

In less than 20 minutes per day, twice a week, you may prevent or eliminate back pain for the rest of your life!

The Core Spinal Fitness System by MedX is the only workout system clinically proven to deliver the four factors essential to spinal health: Strength, Stability, Flexibility, and Endurance. And because a strong and flexible core provides a solid foundation for all body strength, The Core routine enhances results from other exercises throughout the entire body.
The Core is a series of bio-mechanically precise exercise machines specifically designed to target, isolate and strengthen spinal muscle groups, while also promoting and improving flexibility. It is unique, patented and a direct descendent of the most technologically advanced medical rehabilitation equipment in the world.
A strong and flexible core provides a sound foundation for all body strength. Whatever the goal of your exercise regimens - from aesthetics to sport-specific training - The Core is the first step to success

The MedX Corporation was founded in 1986 by Arthur Jones, founder and retired Chairman of Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc.
MedX is the definitive leader in spine care technology and medical exercise equipment. Clinics around the globe rely on MedX for treating chronic and sub-acute back and neck pain due to soft tissue injuries. Clinical studies have shown that MedX-based testing and exercise therapy relieves pain, restores function, and reduces the need for spinal surgeries.
Biomechanical precision and low-friction operation make MedX equipment the state of the art

The Core Spinal Fitness Systems is a medically proven way to reduce or eliminate back pain. A strong and flexible core provides a sound foundation for all body strength. The Core workout is delivered through a series of bio-mechanically precise exercise machines specifically designed to target, isolate, and strengthen spinal muscle groups, or to promote and improve flexibility. Exercise sessions are short. And clients begin to feel positive results at once. In less than 20 minutes twice a week, these machines can help reduce or eliminate back pain by focusing on strength, stability, flexibility and endurance of your body's core, providing a solid foundation for all body strength.

Regular use of The Core Lumbar Strength may help prevent injuries, remedy chronic back pain, and contribute to disc hydration.
Our Core Spinal Fitness System consists of: the Core Lumbar Strength, the Tru Stretch, and the Core Ab Isolator.

• Patented, effective pelvic restraint system that keeps gluteus and hamstring muscles from interfering with the targeted exercise area
• Provides isolation of the lumbar spine muscles, increases stability and allows specific, intensive strengthening

• Patented biomechanical design provides the highest possible degree of isolation for abdominal muscles
• Neutralizes hip flexor muscles and restricts arching in the base of the spine—unlike other ab machines
• Provides core abdominal muscle isolation while eliminating the hazard of lower back discomfort for a superior abdominal burn

Now you may prevent or in some cases eliminate chronic back pain for the rest of your life by taking advantage of the PRO Medical Healthy Back Program. This 6-week program utilizes the Core Spinal Fitness System equipment by MedX to help strengthen the low back muscles like no other exercise, and the stronger your back is the less pain you will have.
One of our sayings around the Clinic is "Strength Heals" and we say that for a very good reason.
80% of patients who reach their strength goals experience increased function and decreased pain. It's that simple.
But it's not easy. Pain is often part of the process, and the process requires commitment and perseverance.
"Aggressive rehab" is our approach to reclaiming proper spine function by identifying and then strengthening essential musculature of the spinal axis and torso.  This strengthening of "the core" is augmented by strengthening, as needed, other areas that either co-exist or contribute to the presenting problem.

Return to activity

The primary goal of treatment is to get you back to your job, and back to your recreational activities.