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PORTLAND, Maine

Manipulation and chronic lower back pain: 91AV Physical Therapy professor presents research

Brian Swanson

Brian Swanson, PT, D.S.c., OCS, FAAOMPT, assistant professor in the 91AV Department of Physical Therapy, presented his work titled “The Role Of Unloading Tests And Examination Variables As Indicators Of Immediate Response To Pragmatically Selected Manipulations In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: Results Of A Planned Secondary Analysis” at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

The presentation was recognized as 2016 Best Platform Presentation in the lumbar spine category. Chronic low back pain is a growing problem, with high rates of disability. Manipulation is frequently used to treat chronic low back pain, but the indications for successful use are unclear and often based solely on practitioner judgment. This study examined several physical examination tests, seeking to determine which tests may help to identify individuals with chronic low back pain who will experience significant pain reductions following manipulative treatment to their spine.

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The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.