Resolution of chronic lower back pain symptoms through high-intensity therapeutic exercise and motor imagery program: a case-report

• Published in: Physiotherapy theory and practice Vol. 38; no. 10; pp. 1 - 1552
• Main Authors: Ribas, Jorge, Gomes, Maria Armanda, Montes, António Mesquita, Ribas, Cláudia, Duarte, José Alberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Ltd 03.10.2022
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Adolescent girls; Analgesics; Back pain; Case reports; Chronic back pain; Clinical outcomes; Disability; Exercise therapy; Hydrotherapy; Imagery; Intervention; Limbs; Long term; Lower limbs; Physical therapists; Physiotherapy; Posture; Relaxation; Treatment methods; functionality; physical exercise; Lower back pain; physiotherapy; imagery
• ISSN: 0959-3985; 1532-5040
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2020.1839985

Nonspecific chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is a difficult to manage clinical condition that is more prevalent in adulthood but also affects adolescents, compromising their well-being and activities of daily living. This case report aimed to describe the clinical evolution of a female adolescent with nonspecific and severe CLBP treated successfully through a combination of high-intensity exercise and motor imagery training. : A 13-year-old girl with CLBP with radicular pain to the lower limbs, spasms, and movement limitations, for whom pharmacological treatment (i.e. analgesic and muscle relaxant agents) and hydrotherapy, hot wet therapy, and muscle relaxation were unsuccessful. After a careful physiotherapy evaluation, the patient underwent a 36-session intervention, performed 3 times/week for 12 weeks, which was composed of high-intensity therapeutic exercise, adjusted for the patient condition, along with motor imagery training. The patient was reevaluated after the intervention and again 3 years later by the same physiotherapist. : The intervention led to a favorable clinical outcome, with pain relief, improved posture, and decreased disability. The patient's clinical condition remained stable at the time of the last follow-up evaluation. : These results show that the adjusted combined program led to favorable clinical improvement in the condition, with sustained long-term effects after the intervention.