Physical Therapy
Physical therapy plays an important role in the rehabilitation of individuals suffering from acute or chronic back pain. Physical therapists will use a combination of non-active physical therapy and active physical therapy to provide pain relief and increase function. Physical therapists will work with patients to develop therapeutic plans to improve overall performance, strength and conditioning, balance and coordination and posture and mechanics in order to decrease the incidence of repetitive injuries.
Therapists partnered with the USC Spine Center are certified specialists with fellowship training for treatment of neurological impairment and orthopaedic conditions.
Services offered include:
- Perform initial patient evaluation and provide input regarding prognosis and ability to benefit from non-surgical intervention
- Assist in case management
- Establish home exercise programs and self care programs
- Analyze patient movement
- Improve movement patterns and body mechanics
- Assess biomechanical and movement dysfunctions: potential pain sources
- Correct dysfunctions
- Educate regarding disease process and self management techniques
- Prevent reoccurrence
- Provide treatment prior to and after medical and surgical management
Specific interventions available to patients of the center include:
- Patient education
- Posture training
- Body mechanics training (sleep & work positions)
- Joint mobilizations
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Gait training
- Balance Training
- Movement re-education
- Taping/bracing
- Adaptive equipment
- Therapeutic exercise
- Home exercise program
- Modalities (ultrasound, ice, heat, electrical stimulation)