Back Pain Remedy Sitemap

Dedications - Fig. la & Fig. lb—Acute low back syndrome

Here, as with most cases of low back pain, sprain of ligaments and strain of muscles, fascia and connective tissue is present. Note: signs indicate the body is assuming a position which avoids movement in affected area even movement for balance.

Foreword - The scientific announcement by Hench, Kendall, Slocumb and Polley of the Mayo Clinic concerning the importance of the steroid metabolic effect on rheumatoid arthritis focused clinical attention on the remarkable rapidity with which fibrous collagen tissue contrac-tures can be released to allow a restoration of range of joint motion.

Foreword #2 - During the past decade, the problem of low back pains, the old enigma that repeatedly has haunted the departments of medicine, safety, insurance and compensation has created the need for a new approach by industry.

The purpose of Industrial Medical Service is to treat the minor injuries and the few major cases which occur. In addition, it must apply preventive medicine to keep the worker on the job and at 100% efficiency. This benefits both the employee and employer.

Preface - The underlying purpose of this book is to present a simple, workable concept of the body's physico-mechanical adaptation to various environmental stresses with its resultant physical manifestations. The plane of explanation is maintained at a level adaptable to the understanding of nurses, therapists, personnel directors, executives and others in the non-medical laity. Actually, the book is like a schizophrenic—it has two personalities.

01. Problems - Established practices of the medical profession must change constantly in order to apply the results of increased medical knowledge. To continue methodical search for solving the unknown is a noteworthy endeavor. Yet many times we become so engrossed in these pursuits that the ordinary, garden-variety or "run of the mill" problems which actually affect most people daily, are slighted or given a subordinate rating of importance.

02. Mechanical Considerations - To delve into the study of any subject requires a basic knowledge of terminology. In this instance, anatomy and physiology are indispensable.

Since this writing is for therapists, nurses, coaches, industrialists and educators as well as physicians, definitions and a brief explanation of the anatomy, physiology and body mechanics is pertinent. Of course, the ever present dangers of oversimplification must be acknowledged.

03. Diagnosis - The causes of limitation of motion are numerically legion. Statistically, mechanical factors account for approximately 90% primarily and is an accompanying secondary factor in many of the remaining cases. The physiology of ligamentous contracture is briefed in the preceding chapter. Sufficeth to say, strains and sprains may rent fascial tissues, but contrary to popular belief, this is seldom due to heavy lifting.

04. Examination + Tests - The preceding chapters have dealt with background materials and generalizations. From this point, the text will give step by step procedures in testing for offending musculo-fascial groups and application of corrective elongation measures. The scope of this instruction is not in the echelon of the physiatrist, orthopedist or even the practitioner of general medicine. It is offered as a program which may be administered by the registered nurse, physical therapist and trained medical aids.

05. Treatment - The chapter on testing was divided into sections; one group of paragraphs explained many of the accepted routines whereas Section D gave the purpose, procedure and rational of the elongation program. Likewise, this chapter will be similarly sectionalized.

This does not infer that the elongation program is a separate therapeutic entity sufficient of itself. It should be reiterated at this point that the program is another useful tool in the general armamentarium of low back treatments.

06. Bibliography - Mennell. J.: The Science and Art of Joint Manipulation, ed. 2. Philadelphia, The Blakiston Company, 1949.

Palumbo, Louis T.: Low Back Pain and Sciatica. Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott Co., 1954.

Billig, Harvey E., Jr. and Loewendahl, E.: Mobilization of the Human Body, ed. 2. Stanford, the Stanford University Press, 1953.

Cobey, Milton C.: Postural Back Pain. Springfield, 111., Charles C Thomas, Publisher, 1956.

THE END