MedX — APG’s Secret Weapon for Treatment of Low Back Pain

At Associated Physicians Group, we utilize multiple modalities including the MedX lumbar rehabilitation equipment to precisely measure strength, range of motion and endurance in the lumbar spine to help identify the source of your low back pain.

Once evaluated, our team of providers designs a treatment and rehabilitation plan to address your specific issues which can incorporate interventional pain procedures to immediately alleviate your pain symptoms and a regimen of low back strengthening exercises and physical therapy to strengthen your back and prevent the pain from returning.

We utilize multiple providers in your care plan, and multiple modalities. Your care team can consist of an Interventional Pain Specialist Anesthesiologist (yes, we have 2 on staff), a Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs).

MedX — The Difference Maker

Often times low back pain is the result of poor structure and weakened lumbar flexor & extensor muscles. APG is one of the ONLY facilities in the area that utilizes the MedX Lumbar Rehabilitation Equipment — often called “The Difference Maker”.  MedX testing and strengthening equipment utilizes the concept of “pelvic stabilization” to isolate the specific group of muscles that are typically the “weakest link” — the lumbar flexion and extension muscle groups.

Traditional “back” exercise equipment doesn’t necessarily strengthen these muscle groups because there is no mechanical isolation structure in the equipment – you’re typically working other muscle groups in your back and legs and chances are you will not get relief using that equipment.

The core of our low back rehabilitation program is the MedX lumbar medical spinal testing and rehabilitation machines. There are many gym machines and exercises that claim to strengthen the lumbar spine, but they have been disproved with scientific testing. These are the only machines available today that will effectively isolate the deep muscles of the lumbar spine (erector spinae and multifidus).

This state-of-the-art computerized equipment is used to test then treat patients with low back pain associated with bulging, herniated or degenerative discs and sciatica as well as limited range of motion resulting from long-term pain and dysfunction.  Weakness in the lumbar spinal muscles has been associated with chronic low back pain, bulging, herniated or degenerative discs, sciatica and susceptibility to future back injuries.

The MedX medical lumbar extension machine is designed to isolate and strengthen the muscle groups that support the trunk by utilizing a unique restraint system which stabilizes the pelvis and legs. The machine also allows us to perform the testing every three degrees through the 72 degrees of normal pain free range of motion. Pain inhibits muscle contraction, which means that if you are tested and there is pain associated with the testing you are unable to give a full effort and the test will not be valid. Therefore, the testing and subsequent rehabilitation must be performed pain free, not only for the test to be valid but, to avoid hurting the patient. Isometric testing also allows the patient to control the test and discontinue if they feel discomfort or are not comfortable during the testing. Validity is achieved by effectively stabilizing the pelvis to achieve lumbar spinal muscle isolation.

We are able to test each individuals’ low back strength and compare them to age-matched norms (other men or women their age and weight). For example if you are a 50 year old, 145 pound, female we can show you how you compare to other women who are 50 years old and weigh 145 pounds. This shows us how strong your back would be, if it was healthy. This allows us to document muscle weakness, and gives us baseline measurements allowing us to more effectively predict a positive outcome, as well as follow your progress as we increase strength to normal levels.

A progressive strengthening program is then developed to isolate and strengthen the weakened area. Because we can isolate the source of the low back pain and rehabilitate it specifically we are able to see a significant improvement and patients report less pain and more mobility within the first few weeks oftentimes within the first few treatments. Even patients who have suffered from low back pain for years note significant improvement rather quickly. Our approach is very powerful and we have thousands of satisfied patients to prove it. Many of our successful patients have tried other treatments including physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment epidurals and medication, prior to treating at our office, without achieving the results they had hoped for. After receiving care from The Center For Total Back Care they were able to resume a pain free lifestyle. Many returning to activities they loved but never thought they would be able to perform again.

Isometric Testing

Isometric Testing is performed using the MedX medical lumbar extension machine at up to eight (6) positions through a 72-degree range of motion (ROM) in 12-degree increments, including at 0, 12, 36, 48, 60 and 72 degrees. At each test point, the user is asked to exert force against the back rest of the machine, which is connected to the movement arm and load cell, for approximately 3 to 5 seconds. During this exertion, the MedX Rehab software visually displays the force exerted by the user on the display screen. At the conclusion of the exertion period, the force reading is automatically saved and the user is moved to the next test point. This process is repeated until the user has been evaluated at all test points within their pain free range of motion (ROM). The resultant data is then utilized by clinicians to evaluate the strength of the muscle groups that support the user’s cervical spine.

Dynamic Exercise

Dynamic exercise sessions are performed through a pain free motion until the isolated muscle groups are exercised to exhaustion. In accordance with MedX protocols, patients exercise with a resistance weight of 50% of the peak torque reading obtained from their isometric test. The patient performs a slow seven second repetition for 20 repetitions or to volitional fatigue whichever occurs first. If the patient is able to reach 20 repetitions the resistance is increased on the next session. If they are unable to reach 20 repetitions the resistance remains the same for the next session.

Exercise Frequency

Due to its unique ability to isolate and strengthen the muscle groups that support the trunk, the MedX medical lumbar extension machine requires no more than two (2) exercise sessions per week, with preferably 2 days but no less than 1 day between exercise sessions to allow the muscles to recover. Because of its ability to isolate the functional weakness, we are able to see a significant improvement with patients reporting less pain and more mobility within the first few weeks and oftentimes within the first few treatments. Even patients who have suffered from low back pain for years note significant improvement rather quickly. 

Our approach is very powerful and we have thousands of satisfied patients to prove it. Many of our successful patients had tried other treatments including physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, epidurals and medication prior to treating at our office without achieving the results they had hoped for, but after receiving care from Associated Physicians Group, they are able to resume a pain free lifestyle. Many returning to activities they haven’t done for years and never thought they would be able to perform again.

Watch this (old but good) video from NBC that talks about the MedX Rehabilitation Equipment.