Research Shows Physical Therapy Is an Effective Treatment of Choice for Many Back Pain Patients
ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 15, 2008 — In contrast to a recent
study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association
(JAMA) suggesting that spine-related expenditures have increased
without evidence of improvement, best evidence suggests that patients
who receive physical therapy for musculoskeletal disorders, including
back and neck pain, report good outcomes at a lower cost than using
drugs or surgery,1 the American Physical Therapy Association
(APTA) reported today.
For pain of a "mechanical" origin such as back or neck pain, hands-on
therapy to mobilize the spine, and exercises designed to alleviate low
back pain, have been shown to be particularly
effective.2,3 Studies also have shown that
patients with lumbar spinal stenosis can benefit from physical therapy,
particularly when manual physical therapy, exercise, and a progressive
body-weight-supported treadmill walking program is used.4
"Consumers need to know that physical therapist management is a
low-cost, high-value alternative to drugs and surgery to deal with
musculoskeletal pain," said APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "The
judicious use of appropriate physical therapist treatment based on best
evidence can improve the function of people who struggle with back and
neck conditions." Ward added, "Because patients with chronic, disabling
low back pain account for a disproportionate share of health care
expenditures and workers' compensation costs, the potential cost savings
of an early, effective intervention to prevent individuals from
progressing to chronic disability may be considerable."
Consumers can find a physical therapist in their area by accessing www.findapt.us - a
national database of physical therapist members of APTA. The database
allows users to search by zip code and expertise.
Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and
manage individuals of all ages, from newborns to elders, who have
medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their
abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily
lives. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan of
care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce
pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists also
work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing
fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active
lifestyles.
The American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) is a
national organization representing physical therapists, physical
therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster
advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research.
Consumers can access "Find a PT" to find a physical therapist in their
area, and read physical therapy news and information at www.moveforwardpt.com.
1 Editorial: Preserving the Quality of the
Patient-Therapist Relationship: An Important Consideration for
Value-Centered Physical Therapy Care, JOSPT; Vol 38 No. 2, Feb. 2008
2 A Clinical Prediction Rule To Identify Patients with Low
Back Pain Most Likely To Benefit from Spinal Manipulation: A Validation
Study; John D Childs, PhD, PTMaj; Julie M Fritz, PhD, PT; Timothy W
Fynn, PhD, PT; James J Irrgang, PhD, PT; Kevin K Johnson, Jaj; Guy R
Maikowski, Maj; and Anthony Delitto, PhD, PT; Ann Intern Med. 21
December 2004, Vol 141, Issue 12, pp 920-928
3 Nonpharmacologic therapies for acute and chronic low
back pain: a review of the evidence for an American Pain
Society/American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline. Chou
R, Huffman LH; American Pain Society; American College of Physicians;
Ann Intern Med. 2007 Oct 2; 147(7):492-504.
4 A comparison between two physical therapy treatment
programs for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a randomized clinical
trial. Whitman JM, Flynn TW, Childs JD, Wainner RS, Gill HE, Ryder MG,
Garger MB, Bennett AC, Fritz JM. Spine, 2006 Oct 15:31 (22):2541-9