For Patients

Long Term Benefits – Patients

Chronic spinal pain typically takes two different forms. In the first, patients have pain at all times although the intensity may vary. In the second, patients have frequent exacerbations (which are often severe) but remain relatively free of pain between episodes. Passive treatments (e.g., chiropractic, injections, medication, massage, ultrasound, hot and cold packs, electrical stimulation, traction, various types of muscle release treatments, acupuncture, acupressure) may be beneficial but often the results are only temporary.

Lasting relief comes from improvements in spinal fitness. People with chronic spinal pain become experts at protecting the affected body part. For example, people with chronic low back pain learn to do activities without stressing the back. While this may help to prevent severe exacerbations, a physiologic price must be paid. Whenever any body part is not used in the normal manner, it atrophies and weakens. The joints stiffen up. Movement becomes more difficult and painful. Essentially, the affected body part becomes fragile. The more it is protected, the more fragile it becomes. Passive treatment does not make a fragile back less fragile. This can only be accomplished with the correct kind of progressive exercise.

Fortunately, fragile necks or backs can be corrected. And once a fragile body part has been restored to normal functioning, there are several important benefits:

• The chances of a flare-up are significantly decreased
  
  
• If there is a flare-up it tends to be much less severe and of much shorter duration
  
  
• Activities that have previously caused problems can usually be accomplished after spinal fitness has been optimized

Another important long-term benefit is that after finishing the PNBC program, the newly obtained high level of spinal fitness can be maintained at home with a simple program that only takes a few minutes each day. You don't have to join a health club or buy exotic equipment. What you do have to do is take responsibility for your spinal health by being willing to commit to a lifetime home program.

In essence, after completing the PNBC program you become your own spine doctor. Since patients with chronic spine pain tend to re-utilize the healthcare system over and over looking for relief, the PNBC program can result in very significant cost savings.

Other important benefits include:

• Our treatment is supported by peer-reviewed medical research
  
  
• PNBC treatment often eliminates the need for surgery
  
  
• All PNBC patients are evaluated and monitored by physicians and treated by a team consisting of a physician, licensed therapists and exercise professionals.