Chatting with your Patients about Lumbar Exercises

Disc Model, spine model, academic

There are lots of ways to help a back get back into shape. As a spine specialist, chances are you recommend a variety of options for your patients, who are facing various problems and disorders, to help them feel better.

Some lumbar spine problems require surgery. Such procedures are simply unavoidable in some cases. Other problems can be solved with less invasive procedures or regular visits to the chiropractor or other professional. But, usually, the patient must do something on their own in order to keep their lower back (and other parts of their anatomy) working as it should.

When chatting with a patient post-surgery or perhaps post-injury, you may deem that it’s a good idea for that patient to do a little exercising at home. A back that is conditioned by exercise is one that will heal faster and fare better in the long-run, holding up to more stress. Lumbar exercises also help create flexibility, which can also minimize the severity of any future injuries or other concerns.

Patients may also be referred to a physical therapist, who will handle this portion of their recovery. A physical therapist – or physiologist – will demonstrate specific lumbar exercises, guide the patient through them, and correct the patient’s form to ensure that the end result is met and no further injury occurs. The ultimate goal is, of course, increased strength and pain relief.

So, as a physical therapist or chiropractor that assists a patient in learning lumbar exercises, how do you explain the reason for the exercises? Or do you not bother to do that at all?

An explanation is important. Remember, to many not-so-motivated people around the world, exercise is a four-letter word. Patients need to understand just how important it is to do these lumbar exercises regularly, so it’s a good idea for you – the spine or exercise specialist – to take the time to explain the mechanics of each exercise and how they benefit the spine.

Academic LxH Model, disc bulging model

For that you need the proper tools, and those tools often consist of models of the spine. Having a lumbar spine model available to demonstrate the why and how of each exercise is a wise idea, but only when it’s a model that can be fully manipulated to show the way a spine actually works. 2D and static models just don’t cut it.

If you want to explain McKenzie Exercises or perhaps lumbar stabilization exercises, you need a model such as Dynamic Disc Designs’ Professional LxH model. It will show your patient what has happened to their spine, what they will be doing as they exercise, and how the exercises will assist them in feeling better. This model and other DDD lumbar models are highly detailed and ideal for such explanations.

Any tool that helps your patients take care of themselves – inside and outside of your office – is a tool well worth your investment. Check out DDD’s many lumbar models and see how they can help your patients while also improve your practice.

I am very pleased with the 2 models I have purchased from Dynamic Disc Designs.  They seem to be very well made & are very helpful in demonstrating the three-dimensional structure of the spine, including the disc mechanics.  I don’t know of any other models that are as good.”
– Ken Julian, PT, Canada

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