Jorge Fuentes, a physical therapy PhD graduate from the University of Alberta, recently conducted an experiment that measured pain reduction in patients with chronic low back pain. Fuentes says that how a physiotherapist interacts with a patient greatly affects the results of treatment. Every part of the physician, patient interaction is important: eye contact, body language, and listening skills. At Southwest Spine and Pain Center patients can expect a personal, interactive treatment experience to better serve and improve pain symptoms.
Fuentes based his dissertation based on this philosophy. He found that the role of open interaction and communication should involve active listening, eye contact, facial expressions, and tone of voice. All of these factors play a highly significant role in pain reduction. For the first time ever, Fuentes conducted a randomized controlled study to determine the level of which pain reduction was reduced- if any.
The study consisted of 117 people who were patients of chronic low back pain. They were then split into four groups:
1st- Patients received electrotherapy after 5-minute interaction with physical therapist. The physical therapist did not engage in conversation nor look at the patient during their appointment
2nd- Patients received electrotherapy after a highly interactive appointment with the physical therapist. The physical therapist spent the entire 30 minutes that the treatment lasts with the patients and used strong verbal and non-verbal communication.
3rd- Patients were hooked up to the electrotherapy machine, but it was not connected (referred to as “sham” treatment). The physical therapist used limited interaction with the patient
4th- Patients underwent sham treatment with high interaction from physical therapist.
Fuentes was pleasantly surprised by the results after the study. He found that patients in the 2nd group reported a three-point deduction in pain on a ten-point scale, as well as an increase in their pain thresholds. What really struck Fuentes was that patients in the 4th group who underwent the sham treatment with a highly interactive assessment showed improvements in their pain intensity and threshold. Their report was greater than those patients who actually received therapy with little interaction.
Physical therapy is not just a set of exercises and exams. This study proves that the level of interaction between the therapist and the patient needs to be improved. Fuentes says that “the therapeutic contact, in which the interventions are delivered matters. We have to take these non-specific factors into consideration.”
Southwest Spine and Pain Center is the premier pain care clinic in all of Utah. We believe in a comprehensive and collaborated approach to treatment. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic low back pain, call and schedule an appointment at one of our clinics today!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
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