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It is estimated that 80% of the total population will
see a doctor at some time in their lives for back pain. Many of these
people go on to develop chronic pain, which may occur several times a year
after increased activities. People start to limit their activities to
prevent the pain, which begins to further weaken their back, setting them
up for a painful re-occurrence and increasing weakness due to limiting
their activities.
At Winter Haven Hospital’s Outpatient Rehab
Center back and neck problems account for over 60% of the patients seen for
physical therapy.
One such patient, Mr. William Hovis was referred to us
in May 2003. Mr. Hovis owns his own business and was injured when a
trailer slipped as he was attempting to hook it to his truck. He had
immediate severe pain in his back and leg. Mr. Hovis had had three
surgeries to his lumbar spine for removal of a herniated disc and scar
tissue. At the time of his referral he was trying to avoid another
surgery to rid himself of the continued severe pain in his lower back and
hip.
Back pain is a debilitating symptom that affects 8 out
of 10 people at some point in their life.
This pain was limiting his ability to sleep more than 5
hours at a time, he would wake in sudden severe pain. It affected his
sitting for more than 10 minutes and generally was keeping him constantly
seeking a non-painful position – needless to say his livelihood and
personal happiness was affected as well.
Mr. Hovis was referred from a University of Florida
Shand’s Hospital physician to the Winter Haven Hospital Outpatient
Rehab facility. He was put on a stabilization program, which
re-balanced his muscle strength and improved coordination of his pelvic
muscles. He was tested on the Med-X Lumbar Stabilization Machine,
which demonstrated a clear area of weakness in his lumbar extensor muscles.
Following 12 visits and exercise on the Med-X machine to
isolate the extensor muscles, his pain decreased from moderately severe to
mild, he was able to continue to work in his business and return to his
former active lifestyle.
Many of our patients continue to come to the Outpatient
Rehabilitation Center monthly to maintain their strength on the Med-X
equipment after their formal rehabilitation is completed. They have learned
to stabilize their back during regular daily activities and know the value
of continuing to follow their prescribed exercise home program daily in
order to be in control of their back pain.
The Med-X system was developed by Arthur Jones (founder
of Nautilus Exercise Equipment) to isolate specific muscle groups during
exercise. The University of Florida has been involved in research to
document normative values for back strength in relation to age/weight
utilizing the Med-X equipment. At the Winter Haven Hospital
Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, we analyze our patients lifestyle and
strength needs and plan a program to improve strength to average or above.
For example, a roofer requires more strength than a clerk to function
in their job. Once a person has completed their rehabilitation and achieved
their strength goal they are encouraged to maintain their strength through
monthly sessions.
We have many patients on our maintenance program, happy
to come monthly to maintain their strength, all with unpleasant memories of
years of chronic back pain, which is now manageable if not gone.
The Winter Haven Hospital Outpatient Rehab Center has
exceeded the 80 percentile rating in all areas of care and patient
satisfaction on the National Gallup Survey of Outpatient rehab centers for
the 3rd quarter of 2003.
We continue to strive for excellence through our Gill
Jones Center Outpatient Orthopedic and Neuro programs and our Joy-Fuller
Inpatient Rehab Center and Wound Care programs at Winter Haven Hospital.
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