Table 1
Outcome measures and treatment strategies during chiropractic care.
| Tx#/Wk# | Functional Outcomes | Pain Control | Flight/USMC Fitness Training |
| 1/1 | • VAS = 1.5 current, 7.1 upon waking, 9.5 worst •Medication needed for pain control • RMDQ = 5/24 • Significant pain with flight • Unable to run/do sit-ups | • HVLAM [11] (T11-L2 & SI joint) • AMRT [12,13] & PIR or PCS [14] of (g. medius, g. max, QL and PVTs) • Home TrP Tx (g. medius) • Moist heat pack • See flight surgeon if pain increased | • G. medius stretch (2 @ 30 sec) • Double knee-chest stretches (10 reps @ 10 sec each) • Continue stretches recommended by PT and DO • Walking, elliptical and bicycle to tolerance |
| 5/5 | • No sharp pain • No medication needed to control pain • Mild ache after flying high G several times per week • Minimal pain with activities of daily living | Same as above | As above + • Supine leg raises (Dead Bugs 50 reps) • Static crunch to tolerance (90 sec) • Prone isometric core endurance (plank) for 90 sec |
| 11/15 | • Verbal pain scale = 0 • Mild tightness associated with prolonged sitting • Full activities • Able to perform plank exercise > 2 minutes • No pain with running | Periodic HVLAM, PCS and AMRT as necessary | As above + • Oblique crunches (50/side) • Isometric side bridge (60 sec) • Static lunge psoas stretch • Oblique crunches on gym ball • Latissimus pull downs • Seated rows • Gradual return to running |
| 16/30 | • VAS = 0 • RMDQ = 0/24 • Able to perform plank exercise > 120 sec, side-bridges > 60 sec, 100 crunches in < 120 sec, 50 oblique crunches per side • Able to fly multiple times/wk including long and high G flight with only mild tightness afterward • Passed required physical fitness test with no pain | No treatment required | • Maintain core stability and coordination exercises as part of routine exercise • 3 mi run 3x/wk, elliptical or stationary bike on other days |