Although low back is one of the most common symptoms causing limitation of human activity, as yet there is no known specific effective treatment. Comprehensive rehabilitation aiming at total conservative care through a multidisciplinary approach including strict round the clock bed rest, patient education, strengthening exercise, physical therapy modalities, psychosocial and holistic care was introduced to one hundred and twenty-one in-patients with low back pain. All admitted to the Dept. Of Rehabilitation Medicine, Young Dong Severance Hospital with a diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy. Results are as follows; 1) 85% of all patients showed abnormal radiographic findings. 2) 100% of patients revealed abnormal electrodiagnostic abnormality of lower lumbar radiculopathy. 3) Psychologic factor was found in 14.9% of patients. 4) Average duration of treatment was 22 days. 5) 86% of all patients showed satisfactory results and 98.3% of all patients showed symptomatic improvement. Patient education including postural exercises activities of daily living and abdominal muscle strengthening was stressed in the treatment program. These results of this pilot study are being applied to a low back school program. |