Telehealth Physical Therapy for Back Pain

Yes, collapsed upper back posture and forward head posture causes asymmetrical loading through the pelvis in sitting which places a tremendous amount of stress on the lumbar spine. We refer to this as a rotated pelvis posture. Once we start to bias to one site bone (ischial tuberosity) we will always prefer that side over the other. Over time this bias results in hypermobile SI joints on the side opposite the bias, this can lead to sciatica and/or piriformis syndrome. Especially if you are a leg crosser. The effects of these misalignments are magnified when you stand up and walk. Untreated this can result in a rotated L5 vertebrae which can cause mechanical low back pain and puts you at risk for a disc bulge or herniation.

That depends on the source of the back pain and if you have postural contributions to your back pain. You cannot go wrong with posture correction exercises to start you on the right path to treating the foundation of your back pain. The goal of your posture correction exercises should not be limited to just improving your ability to get into neutral spine alignment but rather condition you to function from neutral spine alignment. When you can function with your upper back stacked and your lower abdominals are conditioned to keep your pelvis in its neutral position under the rib cage you will likely have less back pain.  Then see a rehabilitation specialist for more specific exercises and/or stretches that can better condition you to perform your daily activities with healthy loading through the low back.  Or complete the Healthy Posture System.

That depends on the source of your back pain and if you have postural contributions to your back pain. You cannot go wrong with posture correction exercises to start you on the right path to treating the foundation of your back pain. Treat back pain with stretches alone will often not relieve your back pain long-term.  The reason being the tight muscles around your low back and hips are being told to be tight by the nervous system in response to some faulty alignment in the low back or pelvis causing a faulty loading pattern through the hips and low back. 

It is advisable to start with a posture restoration program if you have collapsed upper back posture. The goal of your posture correction exercises should not be limited to just improving your ability to get into neutral spine alignment but rather condition you to function from neutral spine alignment. When you can function with your upper back stacked and your lower abdominals are conditioned to keep your pelvis in its neutral position will likely have less back pain. Then see a rehabilitation specialist for more specific exercises and/or stretches that condition you to perform your fitness, sport and recreational activities with healthy loading through the low back. Or complete the Healthy Posture System.

Most back pain conditions have collapsed upper back posture and/or a rotated pelvis posture driving faulty loading in the low back. There are upper thoracic spine mobility exercises you can do with a foam roller to improve your ability to function with your skull on top of your rib cage. The foam roller can be used as a prop to help you sit more upright without back support. Other props like a wedge pillow can help you sit more upright. Lower abdominal strengthening exercises can be added to your daily workout program to strengthen the muscles that stabilize your pelvis in neutral. Telehealth physical therapy with a medical practitioner experienced in posture correction and back pain can be highly effective within a model that pairs video instruction with weekly online coaching sessions. The goal of your posture correction exercises should not be limited to just improving your ability to get into neutral spine alignment but rather condition you to function from neutral spine alignment. When you can function with your upper back stacked and your skull on top of your rib cage you will likely have less back pain. Then see a rehabilitation specialist for more specific exercises and/or stretches that may be appropriate. Or complete the Healthy Posture System.

Yes, the Healthy Posture System can help you treat the foundation of your back pain if you have collapsed upper back posture and/or rotated pelvis posture. The Healthy Posture System has 12 levels of progression, each with lifestyle modification that ensure a complete transformation of your posture. It does not just restore your ability to get into healthy posture (neutral spine alignment), it conditions you to perform your daily task without losing healthy posture.

No, not if you have an active back pain injury that limits your ability to perform daily functional tasks. You will be referred to Physical Therapy on Demand for a Tele-PT Posture Screen to confirm whether the Healthy Posture System is appropriate for you and which of the 12 levels of progression is the most appropriate starting point for your needs. The Healthy Posture System video library is password protected. Passwords are distributed during online coaching sessions and only when you have demonstrated the ability to perform all the exercises of the next workout in progression without losing neutral spine alignment. Lifestyle modification must also be reached in order to progress to the next level of the Healthy Back Program within the Healthy Posture System. Anyone can complete the Healthy Posture System that does not have an active pain condition self-guided by going to www.ptondemand.com and purchasing a DIY Basic subscription. You will have to upgrade to a Prevention Plus subscription to access level 4 video content to ensure a safe transition back to functional fitness without faulty loading patterns in the neck and lower back.

How you sit plays a huge role in back pain. If you sit with a collapsed upper back, you likely have a rotated pelvis. Once we start to bias to one site bone (ischial tuberosity) we will always prefer that side over the other. Over time this bias results in hypermobile SI joints on the side opposite the bias, this can lead to sciatica and/or piriformis syndrome. Especially if you are a leg crosser. The effects of these misalignments are magnified when you stand up and walk. Untreated this can result in a rotated L5 vertebrae which can cause mechanical low back pain and puts you at risk for a disc bulge or herniation. Posture correction can restore your ability to sit upright. A good posture correction program should not just stop at restoring your ability to get into neutral spine alignment. It should condition you to perform all your daily activities without losing neutral spine alignment. The Healthy Posture System will guide you through 12 levels of progression, each with lifestyle modification milestones to address all aspects of your daily life. Your progression through the Healthy Posture System is based on both demonstrated abilities and visual evidence of lifestyle modification such as raising your monitor, or the purchase of a wedge pillow or foam roller to support upright sitting posture.