Did you know that 50-80% of the adult population will experience spine pain at some point in their life? Spine pain is normal. “Mechanical diagnosis and therapy” (MDT) is commonly known as an evaluation and treatment approach that is proven to be both safe and effective. It focuses on a systematic and mechanical response, that dictates the treatment approach. Patients will learn self-treatment approaches to independently manage their pain, instead of spending millions of dollars on diagnostic tests and pacified treatments. Physical therapists will provide patients with a combination of exercises for pain relief, goals to centralize pain to the spine (from a more distal area like the arms, legs or rib cage), and eventually abolish pain.
In addition, physical therapist will demonstrate and teach good sitting and standing postures to the patient, to provide their body with a good healing environment. Physical therapists will also educate and demonstrate proper ways to lift and perform functional activities (cooking, cleaning, laundry, driving, dressing, bathing) in a safe way, to prevent further episodes of injury. Patients will learn the role of everyday mechanical loading to the spine and understand ways to avoid pain provocation, such as slouched sitting, prolonged stooped positions, and poor postures with lifting, twisting, coughing and sneezing, and sleeping.