One of the most common forms of physical impairment is low back pain, which has been reported to affect 20-80% of people at some point in their life. The annual cost for managing low back pain exceeds $100 billion. Many treatment options are available for chronic low back pain, but there are numerous studies that have shown no significant difference between treatments that are passive in nature. In addition, there is a lack of evidence for the effectiveness of common treatments such as spinal manipulation.
In 2017, a study was conducted to investigate whether just being in an MRI scanner can be used as a treatment option for low back pain sufferers. They wanted to see if a placebo would decrease the pain significantly and reduce brain activity by using fMRI scanners. Participants were 30 patients with chronic low back pain who received either standard therapy or no therapy at all. Each subject was asked to attend two sessions: one where they were going through therapy and another time going through the same routine but not receiving any physical cuts or therapeutic techniques while inside the MRI scanner.
Participants went through functional MRI scanning while receiving painful stimulation on their lower back while inside the scanner. The results showed that brain activity was reduced in the group who did not receive any therapy and this was also associated with a decrease in pain ratings.
While this study is small and does not provide any long-term solutions, it does suggest that there may be some benefits to receiving “placebo” treatments such as MRI scans for those suffering from chronic low back pain. It is possible that further studies could explore the use of placebos as a treatment option for this population and help to reduce the annual cost of managing low back pain.
Physical Therapy has been shown to improve outcomes when an active approach is taken. The physical therapy interventions that are found to be most effective are those that incorporate physical agents or modalities, education/counseling, physical exercise, and physical manipulations.
The annual cost to manage low back pain exceeds $100 billion indicating that further treatment options are needed to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
Kaeo Physical Therapy specializes in low back pain treatments that are meant to get you back to living as quickly as possible. Unlike some other options, our goal is a return to a life without needing to come back for “tune-ups”. The average patient with low back pain completed their therapy plan of care within 8-12 visits if they are doing the home exercise program with our methods.
TENS units have limited long-term effectiveness when it comes to getting rid of chronic pain which is why Medicare has stopped reimbursing for purchased units. Ultrasound treatments on the low back have limited to no benefits. Hot packs have no effect on outcomes.
Kaeo Physical Therapy specializes in physical therapy treatments for those suffering from low back pain. Our physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and help you get back to living life without pain.
At Kaeo Physical Therapy, we focus on active rehab in order to get you moving without pain again. Sessions will include exercises every time along with dry needling, Astym, and functional activities. These additional treatments are meant to reduce sensitivity and muscle spasms to allow you to move again. Our bodies are designed to move and when we do not then pain can be nearly impossible to overcome.
If you are suffering from low back pain, contact Kaeo Physical Therapy today for a consultation. We will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your needs and helps you get back to living life without pain.
Contact us today for a consultation!
You can call 317-854-6433.
Email us at doc@kaeoconsulting.us
Visit our website at https://kaeophysicaltherapy.com
Stop by the office, located at
39 N US HWY 31
Whiteland, IN 46184
References:
1. Low Back Pain Fact Sheet | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/low_back_pain/detail_low_back_pain.
