Back Pain
Treating Back Pain
The most dramatic development in conservative care for the spine within the practice of Physical Therapy has been the use of Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI) to diagnose and treat Lumbo-Pelvic dysfunction. The sound waves of the ultrasound imaging machine penetrate through the tissues and into the deep muscles. The "echo" (of the sound waves) that returns is picked up by the transducer and converted into "light" when displayed on the monitor.
The use of RUSI was popularised by researchers in Australia who have made breakthrough discoveries in the treatment of back pain. Through the use of Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI) technology they identified problems with the deep "stabilizing" muscles of the lumbar spine and pelvis (lumbar multifidus, transversus abdominis) in patients who had experienced back pain. Subsequently, they have developed the motor control approach to examine, diagnose, and treat these specific muscles with the help of ultrasonography.
Evidence shows that the function (or dysfunction) of these local muscles determines whether a person experiences long-term pain relief or a return of symptoms (recurrence of back pain). The positive or negative response depends on whether the deep "stabilizing" muscles are properly rehabilitated or not.
The issue of recurrence is important because a return of symptoms may lead to a chronic, disabling condition. Recent studies show that back pain does return in most people (80% recurrence) within a year after experiencing symptoms for the first time.
How is the motor control approach for back pain different than other Physical Therapy approaches?
No other treatment technique has targeted the deep "stabilizing" muscles (lumbar multifidus, transversus abdominis). In fact, most Physical Therapists and medical doctors have no knowledge of the function of these muscles or that they always become dysfunctional after experiencing back pain.
This is not to say that other techniques are worthless, but just that they do not address specifically the deep "stabilizing" muscles, therefore these muscles will not be rehabilitated properly and recurrence of back pain is likely to occur (80% of the time).
Transversus Abdominis, Multifidus, and Pelvic Floor Muscles
Maybe you have heard of two or three of the more famous deep "stabilizing" or core muscles we look at with Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging. One is called Transversus Abdominis. It is the deepest lateral abdominal muscle and lies beneath the internal and external obliques.
This muscle is often referred to as the body's natural "corset".
Another important deep "stabilizing" muscle is Lumbar Multifidus which is located on either side of your backbone. We also examine the Pelvic Floor muscles with RUSI Imaging.
Is there scientific evidence that this approach works?
The latest research indicates that deep “stabilizing” muscles of the lumbar spine and pelvis become dysfunctional after you experience back pain and that rehabilitating these muscles with specific exercise is the key to long-lasting pain relief.
The only successful way to examine, diagnose and retrain these muscles is with this revolutionary approach that uses Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging
Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI)
We use RUSI to examine, diagnose and treat the deep "stabilizing" muscles of the lumbopelvic region (the lower back). This is the same technology that lets us "see" a baby in a mother's womb.
We use RUSI to show you whether these muscles are working properly. Then, we will use the same technology to retrain proper function through visual biofeedback during specific exercise.
The value of RUSI in a clinical setting is that it allows for real time study of these deep muscles as they contract. This allows both the patient and the physical therapist to view the contraction as it happens, leaving little room for supposition. Consequently, RUSI can be used as both as an assessment tool and more importantly as a form of biofeedback, providing patients with knowledge of performance, in the early stages of motor learning. In fact, the only other way to assess the muscle action of the deep muscles is by MRI, but this is not practical in a clinical setting and is too expensive for repeated treatment.
Why not schedule and evaluation today, your back will thank you.
Email us at info@maherPT.com for more information.