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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can an exercise physiologist help treat back and neck pain?

    Related Topics
    Back & Neck Pain Pain
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  • 1

    Agree

    Zac Jefcoate

    Exercise Physiologist

    Zac Jefcoate is the owner of Exzac Health Solutions. He was one of three accredited exercise physiologist practicing in G.P super clinics in Western Australia. … View Profile

    Hi

    An excellent but very broad question. Exercise Physiologists help manage chronic neck and back pain both musculoskeletal and neurological in nature. Essentially they will prescribe end stage rehabilitation exercise to restore range, strength and kinetic function. Most often people presenting with Chronic neck and back pain have both neurological and neuromuscular delay, meaning they have developed adaptive postures over time. It's best to consult your G.P or physiotherapist if the condition is acute. Exercise Physiologists work very well with physiotherapists to restore strength and function.

    www.exzachealth.com.au/live

    * Zac Jefcoate works alongside physiotherapists in multi disciplinary practice in W.A

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  • Neil Synnott

    Exercise Physiologist, Physiotherapist

    I am qualified as a PHYSIOTHERAPIST and ACCREDITED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST.I primarily use the McKENZIE METHOD for assessment and management of musculoskeletal pain disorders. The McKENZIE … View Profile

    Hi all,

    As Zac highlighted, this question is broad. Neck and back pain is very much an individual experience… what specifically works for one person, may not have the same effect with another! So indiviualised exercise prescription is a must!

    Back and neck pain are often brought on by sustained and repeated periods of sub-optimal posture. Examples include:

    • sitting 8 hours a day in your office chair - not getting up often enough
    • sitting in a slumped fashion (rounded back) - no back support
    • poor desk set-up - computer screen too low, phone and mouse over to one side
    • repetitive bending forward - more likely trades people
    An exercise physiologist can help you optimise your sitting (and standing) posture - minimising the aggravating scenario is a must for successful management of neck and back pain!

    For me, exercises for back and neck pain have two inter-related but seperate purposes. First is to restore range of motion. Second is improving spinal muscle coordination/ endurance/ strength. If spinal range of motion has not been optimally achieved, the muscle conditioning aspect is slower to improve.

    Acute episodes of back or neck pain are best managed by a physiotherapist. Very often, the acute pain has a mechanical reason, which a physiotherapist can address as soon as possible.

    All the best,

    Regards, Neil


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