New Physical Therapy protocol: no weights just Dynamic Tension

[MikeNY]

A friend of mine just started Physical Therapy for his back; he underwent Physical Therpy for the same problem several years ago. He is now doing Isometrics holding exercises for 10 seconds and some for 2 seconds, doing reps and sets. No weights this time around! He calls it Dynamic Tension! He attends Physical therpy at a University Physical Therapy Unit, the latest and most up todate.

Interesting, they are not using weights or weight lifting now, to avoid injuries per his Therapist. In the Past he tells me it was a weight lifting regime.

[gruntbrain]

I wonder if the dynamic tension stuff is just a part of the initial therapy; keep us posted on how your friend's therapy progresses

[MikeNY]

gruntbrain; I asked my friend, he has been several weeks. He says this is the new way to do it; he is the one called it Dynamic Tension. I asked if his Therapist used that term, he said no, she used the term exercise. He was told they don't use weights now or weight lifting for his back problem like they did until recently.

Interesting, I wonder how many people were injured by weights and weight lifting.

[ronseo]

MikeNY,

Has he mentioned any of the exercises being used to rehab his back?

I work in physical therapy and find this very interesting. I've had IPR since June and haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I'm just wondering if some of the exercises may be in there.

You don't happen to be around the Syracuse area, do you?

[MikeNY]

Ronseo I'm in Upstate New York, the Rochester Area. I looked at the the exercises he has, all bodyweight and Isometrics. The last time he went to physical therapy he reported they immediatly used weight lifting exercises. There might be a link as the Physical Therapy Clinic is part of the local Medical School and University.

Though the years I've heard other folks that were in Physical Therpay and all reported using weight lifting as the core of the rehab. I know there were always a few Physical Therapy Clinic that did McKenzie Exercises but they were the exception not th rule.

[gruntbrain]

Without rigorous evidence, I think grip assited highbar hanging is both preventative & curative

[MikeNY]

Peacekeeper that is a blessing! She was lucky and just hit the right Therapist. Such a small thing, we'd never notice and something that simple can help so much. Peacekeeper she got a real miracle, pain is not something anyone wants. I am glad for her.

I was lucky when I hurt my back long ago the MD sent me to a McKenzie Phyical Therapy Clinic. They assigned me McKanzie exercises, two streches each lasting five minutes and then modified pushups that you hold 30 seconds, belly button down and your back arched; followed by backward bending. Plus the PT gave them thousands of chiropratic adjustments. After a few folks were sent my employer started sending all the employes with a back injuries there and they all returned to work without any restictions; plus the Employer didn't have to provide disability pensions. I became a fan of alternative treatments.

[Big Bear]

Hi Mike,

That is awesome news,and you are so right it depends on the therapist.My Fathers therapist had exercises that I felt were not appropriate given the extensive damage.It is to bad that the re=birth of iso's for physical therapy is not embraced by all-they really work very well by developing all the muscle in a given area not just targeted muscle as other protocols do.

Tim that is awesome news!

gruntbrain,I am of the camp that everyone can benefit from hanging on the chin up bar-this is like the utimate exercise for decompression of the spine and I would also add all the bone structure,ligaments,joints etc..

peace,
jason

[gruntbrain]

Exercizes that challenge balance can also be curative & preventative - eg balance on 1 leg while performing movement - then with closed eyes

[MikeNY]

Hanging from a pullup bar, bow flex machine or a total gym even is great and that decompression feels good! Has to be good for you.