Estimates are that low back pain affects 80% of the population at some point in their life. According to the authors of a study published in a 2003 summer edition of the medical journal Spine states, “Chronic low back pain is the most common complaint of the working-age population.” In the study, people with chronic low back pain treated by physical therapists using manual therapy spinal manipulation techniques and exercise were compared with people seen by a physician who gave them educational material alone.
Participants in the group that received physical therapy were treated for an average of four visits over four weeks. They received specific spinal manipulation using muscle energy technique and stabilizing exercises aimed at correcting the lumbopelvic rhythm. At the five-month and one-year follow-ups, the physical therapy treatment group showed more significant reductions in pain intensity and in self-rated disability than the consultation group.
Neck pain is a common problem. Studies show that 10% to 15% of adults are experiencing neck pain at any given time. The Annals of Internal Medicine (May 21, 2002) published a study that compares people with neck pain treated by physical therapists using two different approaches and continued care by an MD over a seven-week period.
The group receiving focused, hands-on manual physical therapy techniques of joint and muscle mobilization, along with postural muscle strengthening-stabilization exercises, reported the greatest improvement (68%). They used less medication and missed fewer days of work. It is noted that the physical therapist in this study did NOT perform upper cervical manipulations as commonly performed by chiropractors, and associated with increased risk of arterial damage and stroke.
Join our innovative orthopedic manual therapy clinic in Charlottesville, Virginia where we are meeting the challenges of healthcare by emphasizing a quality care, patient-centered approach. We have a low patient-to-therapist ratio with an emphasis on direct, one-on-one care by Doctors of Physical Therapy.
Physical Therapist
Qualifications:
Graduate of an accredited doctoral school of physical therapy.
Currently licensed to practice as a physical therapist in the state of Virginia.
Strong desire to help people with varying levels of dysfunction.
Dedication to professionalism and clinician growth.
Board-certification and/or advanced competencies preferred
Membership in the American Physical Therapy Association
Compensation:
Competitive Pay; Quality Health Insurance; SIMPLE Retirement Program; Profit- Sharing Plan; Comprehensive Continuing Education Benefits; PTO; Flexible Scheduling Options.
Contact Information:
Send cover letter and resume via email to: aptatherapy@gmail.com
No phone calls please.
Research Articles:
Spine. 2003 Jul 1;28(13):1363-71 Comparison of classification-based physical therapy with therapy based on clinical practice guidelines for patients with acute low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. Fritz JM, Delitto A, Erhard RE.
Spine. 2006 Oct 15;31(22):2541-9. Comparison between two physical therapy treatment programs for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a randomized clinical trial. Whitman JM, Flynn TW, Childs JD, et. al
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Sep;86(9):1753-62. Preliminary development of a clinical prediction rule for determining which patients with low back pain will respond to a stabilization exercise program. Hicks GE, Fritz JM, Delitto A, McGill SM.
Clin Rehabil. 2004 Dec;18(8):879-87. The effect of cervical traction combined with conventional therapy on grip strength on patients with cervical radiculopathy. Joghataei MT, Arab AM, Khaksar H.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003 Jul;33(7):369-78. The immediate effects of a cervical lateral glide treatment technique in patients with neurogenic cervicobrachial pain. Coppieters MW, Stappaerts KH, Wouters LL, Janssens K.
Spine. 2005 Jan 1;30(1):E1-7. A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of exercise for patients with chronic neck pain. Chiu TT, Lam TH, Hedley AJ.
Am J Sports Med. 2002 Nov-Dec;30(6):857-65. Physical therapy for patellofemoral pain: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Crossley K, Bennell K, Green S, Cowan S, McConnell J.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003 Nov;33(11):639-46. The influence of altered lower-extremity kinematics on patellofemoral joint dysfunction: a theoretical perspective. Powers CM.
Arthritis Rheum. 2004 Oct 15;51(5):722-9. Comparison of manual therapy and exercise therapy in osteoarthritis of the hip: a randomized clinical trial. Hoeksma HL, Dekker J, Ronday HK, et. al.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2005 Jun 17;6:32. A description of physical therapists' knowledge in managing musculoskeletal conditions. Childs JD, Whitman JM, Sizer PS, et. al.
Albemarle Physical Therapy Associates
285 Hydraulic Ridge Road, Suite 4
Charlottesville, Va 22901
(434)817-0980
aptatherapy@gmail.com
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