Spinal pain (most notably low back and neck) is becoming the single most expensive healthcare problem in the United States. It invades all aspects of society and up to 80-85% of people in the United States will experience spinal pain at some point in their life. In many of these people an acute episode of spinal pain will resolve naturally within a few days, but for some the pain will become recurrent, increasing in episodes and intensity, until it becomes chronic in nature. Seeking treatment for your spinal pain as soon as possible increases the chance of successful recovery

Traditional treatment in the US falls into 3 main categories: pharmacological (drugs or injections), surgery, or conservative care. Physical therapists are healthcare providers that offer conservative management of spinal pain. Conservative management offers many advantages in its treatment for spinal pain: non- invasive and therefore carries little to no risk, evidence based on its effectiveness (most notably with manual therapeutic approach)1 2, and reduced costs associated with its care2. However, not all conservative management is the same and there are many different approaches to treatment from the symptomatic approach (treat the symptoms, not the cause-this approach often uses multiple modalities and employs a more passive treatment) to the other end of the spectrum, the active/exercise approach in which the patient is given a myriad of exercises to stretch and strengthen the structures of the spine.
At Richardson Spine and Sports Therapy we apply a biomechanical approach toward assessing and treating spinal dysfunctions. A biomechanical approach involves a thorough assessment for any movement dysfunctions that exist in the spine and its interrelated components (i.e. in the lumbar spine one would look not only at movement of the lumbar spine, but the thoracic spine, the pelvis, both hips and analyze gait for lower extremity abnormalities as well). By taking this approach we seek the cause of the pain and not just its symptoms. By directing treatment, in the form of manual therapy, toward eliminating these movement dysfunctions we seek to more permanently decrease pain rather than just temporarily by treating its symptoms. Once the movement dysfunctions have been corrected, teaching patients a progressive exercise program for stretching and strengthening structures of the spine becomes more advantageous as the evidence in the literature notes. 1 2
What our patients have to say…..
“Joe, with manipulation, was able to relieve my pain so I could start the process of building and strengthening my back muscles. Joe helped me not only with the exercises, but also explained what was going on with my back. The difference from when I first came in and today is night and day. Thank you Joe and Staff!”- S. N.

“I was uncertain about having physical therapy, but was immediately reassured by the thoughtfulness and kindness of everyone here. I was also amazed at the ease of movement and decrease in pain in my low back after just a few visits. My therapist explained everything to me as we went along and how and why the exercises help to strengthen me.”- E.L.

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1 Spine , Vol. 28, No. 6. pp. 525-532
2 British Medical Journal Vol. 326. No. 26, pp. 1-6