The use of an eclectic approach for the treatment of low back pain: a case study

The purposes of this case report are (1) to describe an examination approach that relates identification of an impairment to a disability and (2) to describe an eclectic treatment approach for an individual with low back pain (LBP). The individual described in this case report is an intercollegiate athlete who, because of chronic LBP, was unable to perform his sport of pole vaulting. The findings of the physical therapy examination suggested that an impairment of lumbar motion prevented the patient from assuming the spinal position necessary for pole vaulting. The goals of the treatment consisted of increasing the patient's lumbar motion to that required for pole vaulting and to have the patient pole vault without pain or stiffness. The treatment approach that was used combined procedures described by Maitland, McKenzie, and others. The rationale for the use of these procedures and their limitations are discussed.