Manipulation and chronic lower back pain: UNE Physical Therapy professor presents research

Brian Swanson, PT, D.S.c., OCS, FAAOMPT, assistant professor in the University of New England Department of Physical Therapy, presented his work titled “The Role Of Unloading Tests And Examination Variables As Indicators Of Immediate Response To Pragmatically Selected Manipulations In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: Results Of A Planned Secondary Analysis” at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

The presentation was recognized as 2016 Best Platform Presentation in the lumbar spine category. Chronic low back pain is a growing problem, with high rates of disability. Manipulation is frequently used to treat chronic low back pain, but the indications for successful use are unclear and often based solely on practitioner judgment. This study examined several physical examination tests, seeking to determine which tests may help to identify individuals with chronic low back pain who will experience significant pain reductions following manipulative treatment to their spine.

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