Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Susan H.N. Jeno

Keywords

Back Pain -- rehabilitation; Exercise Therapy -- methods; Neck Pain -- rehabilitation; Whiplash Injuries -- rehabilitation; Case Reports

Abstract

In the US, it is estimated that there are 1 million new cases of whiplash type injuries annually. There is plenty of discussion regarding the treatment for these injuries but there is limited research using Med-X spinal strengthening machines to treat this type of chronic spinal pain associated with these whiplash type injuries. The patient chosen for this study sustained these type of chronic symptoms due to a motor vehicle accident 13 years prior and had struggled with these symptoms on and off since the accident. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 56 y/o female that presented with chronic recurrent neck, upper back and intrascapular pain as well as headaches and left arm numbness over the past 13 years could recover using these specialized Med-X exercise equipment over the course of 12 weeks. The Med-X equipment is specialized exercise equipment designed to specifically target spinal muscles. At the completion of the 12 week program the patient had made excellent objective as well as subjective changes due to the strength gained through the use of the Med-X machines. The use of these machines to treat chronic spine pain could revolutionize the way physical therapists treat chronic spinal pain.

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