Laurel Regional Chiropractic

Showing posts with label physical rehabilitation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label physical rehabilitation. Show all posts

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Effects of Therapeutic Climbing in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Study Design: A randomized controlled study investigated the effects of therapeutic climbing in patients with chronic low back pain. Before and after 4 weeks of training, physical and mental well-being were measured by two questionnaires (36-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]; Hannover Functional Ability Questionnaire for measuring back pain–related disability [FFbH-R]).

Objective: Therapeutic climbing has been suggested to increase muscular strength and perceived physical and mental well-being. This study focused on the psychological effects of therapeutic climbing and compared it with standard exercise therapy.

Summary of Background Data: Therapeutic climbing has become increasingly popular in rehabilitation and its effects on muscular strengthening have been shown. Therapeutic climbing has also been suggested to yield psychological effects such as changes in attentional focus from pain to physical capabilities. To date, no controlled clinical trial has investigated these psychological effects and it is unclear whether therapeutic climbing is comparable or superior to other forms of exercise.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with chronic low back pain conducted either a therapeutic climbing or a standard exercise regime. Each program took 4 weeks, including four guided training sessions per week. Before and after the program, patients answered two questionnaires assessing their physical and mental well-being.

Results: For the Hannover Functional Ability Questionnaire for measuring back pain–related disability, there was no difference before versus after or between the treatments. For the SF-36, both treatments showed significant improvements in 3/8 subscales of the SF-36. In 2/8 subscales, only the participants of the therapeutic climbing improved and in 1/8 subscales the converse was true. Comparing both groups, significantly larger improvements were found after therapeutic climbing in two subscales of the SF-36: physical functioning and general health perception.

Conclusion: The benefits of therapeutic climbing were comparable with those of a standard exercise regime. In two subscales of the SF-36, the benefits of therapeutic climbing exceeded those of standard exercise therapy, primarily in perceived health and physical functioning of the patients. This finding demonstrates that therapeutic climbing is equivalent and partly superior to standard exercise therapy for patients with chronic low back pain.

Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/742533

David P. Chen, D.C.
Chiropractor
20708

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

A herniated disc...a prolapsed disc...or a ruptured disc?

What's the difference between a herniated disc, a prolapsed disc, a ruptured disc, they all sound pretty scary, but guess what? There is virtually no agreement in the medical community as to the differences between the terms - their definitions are disputed all the time.

But what does the definition really matter? Isn’t it more important that we know there is pain? Isn’t that we know the cause of pain more important?

The fact is, different doctors will interpret MRIs and x-rays differently. A single film might lead to multiple diagnoses. The focus should be on getting the right kind of treatment for pain and helping restore function and ability, not splitting hairs with definitions. That’s why at Laurel Regional Chiropractic, we put the spotlight on your well-being.

The fact is, for back injuries and pain that are disc-related, doctors and surgeons will often prescribe surgery when it isn’t necessary or even recommended. It’s the last line of defense, not the first. At Laurel Regional Chiropractic, we take the non-surgical route by providing conservative treatments. Therapies like the mechanical traction, spinal manipulation, and physical rehabilitation can restore range of motion and improve muscle support. For everyone we see, we will create the right treatment plan for each individual patient.

If you have a herniated disc and are suffering, come in and see us. We’re here to help. Call us at 301-953-0256 for our office in Laurel, MD and make your appointment for a consultation.

David P. Chen, D.C.
Chiropractor in Laurel, MD