Nose Creek Physical Therapy Information on Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP)

It is a physician’s initial role to diagnose and classify back pain as acute (not caused by a serious medical condition and lasts shorter than one month) or chronic (persistent back pain). Generally, there are four types of back pain: sinister, inflammatory, neurogenic and mechanical. Most cases of chronic back pain are mechanical – pain that is experienced due to movement of the spine. After a full physical examination including a discussion regarding medical history, the proper back pain classification is identified. Nose Creek Sport Therapy uses this information to customize an appropriate rehabilitation program.

The most common types of CLBP conditions treated at Nose Creek Sport Therapy come from:

• Chronic or recurrent mechanical lower back pain lasting longer than 3 to 6 months
• Sciatica symptoms with no neurological signs lasting longer than 6 months
• Post-partum lower back pain lasting longer than 3 to 6 months
• Chronic back pain that has shown to be resistant to previous treatments
• Post-operative spinal patients

The goal of this physical therapy program is to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation structure to the patient. A Nose Creek Manipulative Physical Therapist will also create a program for the patient to work independently on specific modifiable risk factors, such as weak core strength or low hip flexibility.

The therapist will work with a patient over a 12 to 24 week period. In a “team approach” to care, the therapist and patient will work together on resolving physical deficiencies. This includes gaining patient buy-in backed by a series of defined goals, making appropriate lifestyle changes and committing to a home exercise program, combined with manual therapy. At the end of the work period, a significant change in pain should be experienced.

Research shows that a combination of manual therapy and pathology specific exercises is the most effective approach to address CLBP. Nose Creek Sport Therapy agrees with this research and therefore offers more durable changes in people who suffer from chronic lower back pain.

• Mechanical lower back pain
• Weak core or trunk strength
• Reduced hip flexibility
• Obesity
• Smoking

This physical therapy program at Nose Creek Sport Therapy objectively measures modifiable risk factors and empowers patients to correct deficiencies that are often not addressed in most other treatment centres.

An assessment and discharge form will be faxed to the family physician to keep them informed of the status of the patient’s CLBP condition. For those patients who do not receive a full resolution of symptoms or full function, Nose Creek Sport Physiotherapists will assist the family physician in further medical management as necessary. It should be noted that back function often returns before pain fully resolves.

Nose Creek Sport Therapy can provide a series of recommendations for further physical movement and strengthening exercises after formal treatment is completed. Clients should expect to continue to follow these health and mobility recommendations, including recommendations that pertain to modifiable risk factors listed above.