Physical & Occupational Therapy

It is the objective of the Back Pain Institute of Dallas to provide the highest quality rehabilitation services available for the prevention and management of  spinal injuries.

A full range of traditional occupational therapy and rehabilitation services for spine and extremity related disorders are readily available at our non- surgical spine centers. Occupational therapists duties will include examine, evaluate, diagnose, develop treatment plans, and provide prognosis for each patient on an individual basis. Through the modalities of exercise, mobilization,  heat, cold, and electrical stimulation, Occupational therapists work to restore function, improve mobility, and decrease pain with the goal of re-establishing a patient’s prior functional level.

Ocupational therapists in our centers focus on the evaluation of strength, balance, range of motion, co-ordination, endurance, and posture of each individual patient. From this initial examination, the occupational therapist then develops a treatment plan specific to correcting pertinent physical findings. Each patient’s individual treatment plan is geared toward reaching specific rehabilitation goals that are set by the therapist and the patient together as a team. However, the occupational therapist will help in determining realistic goals through their knowledge of pathology and prognosis.
Rehabilitation strategies in our centers often involve specific exercises to stretch and strengthen muscles as well as to improve posture, balance, and endurance. Physical modalities including heat, cold, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation are also incorporated into most treatment sessions. Spinal decompression traction machines and massage are two other valuable techniques for functional improvement and pain reduction. Assistive devices such as crutches, canes, and walkers are often used to increase patient independence.
 
Over the course of the rehabilitation period physical therapists document progress, re-evaluate physical findings, and modify treatment strategies as appropriate.
 
Treatment protocols include:
McKenzie Evaluation and Treatment:
Robin McKenzie, R.P.T., has developed a system for mechanical diagnosis and treatment of the spine. McKenzie protocols explore passive, dynamic and static loading of spinal joints during both motion and at end range. Clinical studies demonstrate many low back pain patients have a “directional preference” for loading the spine. A dynamic internal disc model has been proposed by McKenzie: an offset load applied to symptomatic intervertebral disc in the “preferred” direction of spinal bending creates a mechanical shift of nuclear content away from the load, thereby alleviating stress on the pain generating annulus and “centralizing” and/or “abolishing” the pain. The movement plane direction of extension has a tendency to cause nuclear material to migrate foreword. McKenzie therapy has been successful with a large majority of patients who have disc derangement and whose pain centralizes and abolishes with directional mechanical treatment strategies.
 
Spinal Reconditioning System:
SRS is the usage of a variable angle isokinetic chair spinal resistance which can safely and progressively load the spine in order to increase strength and range of motion in low back pain patients. The isokinetic resistance machine is a very practical and therapeutic device with broad application in the treatment of persistent back problems. The gradual progressive resistance allows a therapeutic exercise program for even the most tentative exercise candidate. The use of the isokinetic resistance machines are innovative because they may be utilized complementary to existing low back pain intervention programs such as McKenzie therapy, spinal/pelvic stabilization exercises, spinal decompression traction  or CORE training with physioballs.
 
Stretching and Conditioning Program:
Supervisors will be appropriately trained to instruct employees at the beginning of their shift for stretching and conditioning exercises lasting 10-15 minutes. The exercise program will focus on stretching and conditioning of larger muscle groups of the lower back, upper back and extremities. These individualized personal training session updates will focus on ensuring optimal results, compliance with home exercise program and motivation. All exercise handouts and program materials will be individually designed and updated as patient's progress in their rehabilitation protocols.
The Goal of Back Pain Institute of Dallas:
OuR Goal is to provide the highest quality health and rehabilitation services available. Our rehabilitation philosophy will aid in returning the patient back to normative function as safe and rapidly as possible. Through the utilization of services provided, cost containment strategies will be in place to decrease absenteeism, maximize functional outcomes and decrease medical expenses.