Resolution of Chronic Low Back Pain


In 1994, I completed a four year study at the Bellevue Foot and Ankle Center in Bellevue, Washington, on 208 patients who suffered with chronic low back pain.  This study, which I published in the American Journal of Pain Management (1995), is described below.

Prior to this study, these patients had been treated with various therapies including physical therapy, osteopathic and/or chiropractic manipulation, anti-inflammatory medications and in some cases, surgery.  All of these patients were to some degree disappointed with the therapies they had received and were committed to permanently eliminating their low back pain. 

I ran an initial evaluation, testing and analysis on each patient and found that they all had foot twist and bad posture. A therapy (which later evolved into what is now known as Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy) was then initiated to permanently improve their posture. 

Of the 208 patients who started this therapy, 203 completed it. One year later, the 203 patients filled out a questionnaire rating the effectiveness of their therapy by how they now felt.  The results were:

  • 170 patients reported that their chronic low back pain lessened 50% or more
  • 24 reported that their low back pain lessened 10 to 40%
  • 6 reported no change in their low back pain
  • 3 reported an increase in their low back pain

Objective Outcomes (what I noted):

  • Of the 170 patients who reported a decrease in their level of low back pain of 50% or greater, all had a dramatic improvement in their posture.
  • Of the 24 patients who reported a decrease in their level of low back pain of 10 – 40%, all had a slight improvement in their posture.
  • Of the 6 patients who reported no lessening in their level of low back pain, no improvement in their posture was noted.
  • Of the 3 patients who reported an increase in their level of low back pain, all three demonstrated a deterioration in their posture.

Conclusion

A direct correlation was observed between bad posture and chronic low back pain.  When the therapy improved the posture, the chronic low back pain diminished.  However, when the posture did not improve or deteriorated, the low back pain either remained the same or increased.

This study suggests that a viable, effective way to eliminate or dramatically reduce chronic low back pain is by permanently improving posture.


Reference:

    Rothbart BA, Liley P, Hansen, el al 1995.  Resolving Chronic Low Back Pain. The Foot Connection.  The Pain Practitioner (formerly American Journal of Pain Management) 5(3): 84-89


Professor/Dr. Brian A Rothbart
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot and the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity
Developer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Inventor and Designer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles
Founder of International Academy of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Author of Forever Free From Chronic Pain

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Posted by rothbart at 12/24/2009 5:23 PM
Categories: Symptoms
Tags: Back Pain Study Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy Bad Posture Low Back Pain Pain
 

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